Once upon a time a Baker lived in a cottage on a hill. In his kitchen, he enjoyed creating fresh treats filling the house with sweet smells of sugar and spice. However, the Baker wanted to show his love in a bigger way. He decided to create a cookie which looked just like him- Gingerbread Man.
“You will live here with me and help me in the kitchen,” he told the Gingerbread Man.
The Baker made new treats, while the Gingerbread named them. Together they enjoyed the muffins, cookies, cakes, and pie. Even still, the Baker did not want the Gingerbread Man to feel lonely. So, the Baker created a Gingerbread Lady. The two of them delight in being with the Baker and helping him in the kitchen. They had the freedom to do as they pleased in the Baker’s home with the only rule to never leave the cottage.
Life seemed perfect. Until one day, the cat showed the two young cookies pictures of life in the city. Look how much better it is there. We should go there. But what about the rule? It will be ok; the Baker loves us. He would want us to go experience this.
So, the Gingerbread Man and Gingerbread Lady took off. Upon opening the door of the house, they felt something strange. Then they heard the Baker coming, so they took off running.
“Run, run, as fast as you can. You can’t catch me. I’m the Gingerbread Man.”
They quickly realized they needed clothes and shoes. Seeing some clothes in a store, they snuck in, and rushed to dress themselves. However, the store manager wasn’t too happy to see them take off with her clothing. “Come back!” she yelled. The two cookies ran even faster.
“Run, run, as fast as you can. You can’t catch me. I’m the Gingerbread Man.”
Before long, they found themselves hungry. Looking in the window of a bakery nearby, their hearts longed to be with the Baker, but how would they get back to him? The Gingerbread Man and Gingerbread Lady snuck into the bakery. The sweet smells surrounded them in the air while the warmth hit their cheeks. It reminded them of home.
“Would you like something to eat?” a rough voice asked. Their bellies grumbled, and the chef’s baker hat seemed so familiar. The two cookies nodded quickly with wide eyes.
After completing their meal, the bad news was delivered. This chef now demanded the cookies owed him a million dollars for the food they just ate. Since they could not pay, they were now his slaves. All because they ate his food. They would have to do as he said. They worked long hours in the bakery selling food that didn’t even taste good. Suddenly life in the city didn’t seem so nice. “Let’s go back to the Baker,” Gingerbread Man said. They made a plan to sneak out that night and head back to the Baker’s cottage.
“Run, Run, as fast as you can. You can’t catch me I’m the Gingerbread Man.”
But the chef quickly noticed their absence. He called the police, who put up wanted posters. Quickly the two cookies were caught. Criminals who deserved their punishment.
Behind the bars of the jail, the two sat wishing they had only stayed at the cottage. Their bail was set high. It was far too high for them to ever consider paying. Hopeless and desperate the two sat quietly.
Then the guard came telling the Gingerbread Man and Gingerbread Lady that their ransom was paid in full. But who?
The Baker! Their hearts overflowed with joy.
The Baker took them back home to the cottage, where they happily joined the Baker in making more Gingerbread Men and Gingerbread Ladies to live with them at the cottage.
We, like the Gingerbread Man and Gingerbread Lady, have all run astray.
God is the Creator who created all things out of love. He created man in His image to be in relationship with Him. But He wanted man to choose to love Him back, so He gave man the choice to do so. With the choice to choose, also comes the choice not to choose. In the Garden of Eden, the first man and woman were tempted to disobey God. They ate the forbidden fruit and separated themselves from God. Now instead of being with Him in the Garden, they were running from Him. Sin had entered the world. And God told them the punishment for sin is death. But God loved them so much, He had a plan to redeem and restore them.
“Run, run, deep into your sin, but God made a way for you to begin again.”
One day, hundreds of years later, God would send His own Son into the World to be born as a humble baby. He would live a perfect life, and though He never sinned, He took the punishment for sin we all deserve. He died a criminal’s death, paying the ransom for our sins. However, the story doesn’t end there. Three days later He rose from the dead, conquering death and proving He was exactly who He said He was.
For those who believe this in their hearts and confess it with their mouths, they are saved and free to live with the Creator making more disciples of all nations.