People run for several reasons. Some run to get in better shape, or because they enjoy it (weird). Mostly, people run from what they don’t like, or want to deal with. In Jonah’s case, he ran because he hated Assyrians and knew God would show them mercy if he preached there. Naturally, we have a flight (running) or fight (different kind of running) tendency with: our problems; problem people; ourselves and the things we do or have done; and also the things we know we should do. People even run from God. Why we run is usually because of fear or hate. Our Heavenly Father runs from nothing. He will, however:
RUN TO US.
”…While he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.” Luke 15:20b
The Father ran to his son because of his compassion. Compassion presses us to respond. Anyone can feel sorry for someone - compassion gets off the couch. The father also ran because, even though the son was, ‘a long way off’, he saw him - must have been looking for him. God sees us and has great compassion for us and over our situations. He will run to meet us where we are. But we, like the son, must come to our senses and return to our Father. Once we make our return (pray, confess, ask for help) to Him, our Father comes running…
…TO RESTORE US.
”But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate.” Luke 15:22-23
The word ‘quick’ means with urgency - no messing around, no time wasted. His son needed to be restored with: the covering (robe) he once had; along with his authority (ring) and standing as his son (sandals). As for the celebration (feast), it reveals the father’s joy in the return of his son. We need restoration because sin: takes us away from God’s covering; strips us of our God given authority; causes us to doubt our standing with God, and finally, it removes any joy we have in serving our Father. We run to God, He runs to us - A match made in heaven.
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