He Gets Us: Who Did Jesus Say He Was? | Plan 5Sample

He comes looking for us.

It happened again this morning at a traffic light. A frightened dog runs into the intersection. Her eyes dart frantically, searching for something familiar. She has a collar—someone loves her but at this moment, she’s on her own, running faster and farther in the wrong direction. The open gate she wanted so badly opened to a world she never expected.

We do the same thing. We think we want freedom. We push open the gate. We run. Sooner or later we all get lost.

About the time we realize we made a bad turn, we can’t find our way back. Or we think we won’t be welcomed back. What we’ve done is too much just to forgive and forget. We once followed Jesus but there’s no way he would take us back now.

The beautiful thing is that’s not true. One of Jesus’ favorite ways to describe himself was as a shepherd. He said he’ll come after us. His life’s purpose statement says he looks for and rescues those who are lost.

He’s the father who follows his runaway daughter’s trail on a Greyhound bus to the big city. He’s the mother who leaves the porch light on all night for her son and pleads for him on her knees. He’s the best friend who follows the clues until he finds you in a place you should never be.

When Jesus told a crowd of people his favorite stories, three had a similar theme. One was about a lady who tore up her house looking for a lost coin. Another was about a good shepherd who goes out looking for the one missing ewe and he doesn’t give up until he finds her. Where was she? Why didn’t she come back? Was she over a cliff? Down a ravine? Hurt? Confused? Distracted? No matter—he goes after her. And the final story was about a son who took off–and a father who waited for him at home. And when he catches a glimpse of his broken, beat down boy coming down the road, he runs with open arms to meet him.

It didn't matter that the shepherd still had ninety-nine sheep when one went missing. Or that the woman had nine coins. Or that the father had a son who had stayed home and not run away. That one lost sheep had to be rescued. The single coin had to be found. The prodigal son had to be forgiven.

That’s the picture Jesus painted of his love... just in case anyone in the crowd was far from home and wondered what kind of reception they’d get if they showed up on his doorstep. He’s out there looking for you. He runs into traffic after you.

You’ve not run too far.

Whatever you’ve done, it’s not too much.

His love for you is deeper than the ravine you’ve fallen down. Wider than the gap between this life and the life he wants you to have, and longer than any time you’ve been away.

Just turn around.

Don’t be afraid of what you’ll find when you come back.

He’s calling your name.