I made a habit of running away. It was the only way I could feel alive. My father deserted his family and my mother wanted nothing to do with me. She said I was just a constant reminder of my father. Once I set out on my own, I started to engage in all kinds of bad behavior. I’d often resort to stealing a loaf of bread from one of the street merchants. I made what little money I could muster, by cleaning the freshly caught fish for the fishermen who I ran into. They would fish for hours and spend little time at home. Not a very good life for a family man. The smell of dead fish became my way of life. I became a loner. I slept under the stars and lived off whatever I could scrounge from the local vineyard and city markets.

Troubles began to mount when I made some bad choices and started traveling with a group of lost souls, just like me. We became a gang of ruffians and thieves. At last, I felt I belonged to something. I was not happy though. I often wondered about my father. I had dreams about what ever happened to my mother and how different my life would be if I hadn’t left. I was alive, yet dead inside. I engaged in a life of fast living and a slow, pointless death.

Jesus was like no one I’d ever met. He welcomed everyone. When He spoke to the crowds His voice carried across the hillsides. Many were following Him by the time I first saw Him. His group of helpers seemed annoyed by the fact that all ages were vying for His attention. They shooed the little ones away. They tried to control the crowds of sick and elderly people who had come for healing. There were so many. Even though His band of followers became overwhelmed, I felt Jesus had time for each individual. He gathered the children close to Him. He hugged them and made them feel safe. He looked me in the eye, and I knew that there was something there I had never experienced. It was as if He was looking right into my mind and heart. He spoke about loving one another and especially those who hated us. He reminded us to honor our parents. I began to wonder about my own father.

The disciples scolded the children and tried to disperse them, but Jesus chastised them. He said, ““Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” He reminded them that a childlike faith was all that was necessary to obtain God’s mercy and grace. I began to wonder if I would be worthy of such grace. I certainly didn’t deserve it, but it soon became clear that He was in fact talking to me personally. I could feel the love He was so willingly sharing with all of us. Tears began to well up in my eyes. This truly was the Messiah, the Son of God, who came to save all sinners – even me.