We think of God as powerful, mighty, majestic, holy, sovereign and reigning on the throne of heaven. He is indeed all those things. So it seems curious that in the parable of the Prodigal Son Jesus would describe God in a different way, as One who runs. I confess that I never think of God as running, to anything or for anything. But Jesus makes clear that when the man’s son returns, the father runs to meet him and kiss him. The son comes home to beg for forgiveness and asks to be given a position as a hired servant. Before a word is out of his mouth, his father runs to him. Oh, the lavish and extravagant love of the father, in the parable representing God, who eagerly runs to welcome his child home!
More than thirty years ago, Benny Hester wrote a song called “When God Ran.” I remember how powerfully the lyrics impacted my life at the time—and still do. The words of the refrain:
“He ran to me
He took me in his arms
Held my head to his chest
Said my son's come home again
Lifted my face
Wiped the tears from my eyes
With forgiveness in his voice he said
Son do you know I still love You?
He caught me by surprise
And he brought me to my knees
When God ran.”
I’m struck by the fact that the father in the parable ran to his son before the son was even home. I’m humbled by the fact that the father throws an enormous party to welcome his wayward son back in to the family. I’m overwhelmed by the truth that the father never stopped loving his son and tangibly demonstrates that love when the son comes home. And I praise and thank God that He treats me—and you—the same way. May you rest in God’s powerful, forgiving, lavish love today.