Welcome

by Inter Pastor Meggie

I heard a story once about a woman whose life took an unfortunate turn. She fell on hard times, got a divorce, lost her family, and sank into a deep depression. She was in desperate need. To her dismay, the people in her church only shook their heads and pointed their fingers at her failure. And so, she left and began frequenting a bar. One day her pastor came and asked why she had done this. She replied, “The people at the bar smile when they see me.”

For better or worse, there is not a lack of bars in most towns. In fact, often there are as many or more bars than churches. But bars don’t seem to be declining like churches, do they?

We might point to a rise in alcoholism or addiction. But we could also turn to the story about this woman.

Have you ever been judged? Have you ever felt like you were worthless? Have you ever judged someone else or made them feel “less”?

In today’s text, Jesus reminds us that: “Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me, welcomes the one who sent me.”

How well do you welcome others?

Not just your friends – those who look like you, act like you, spend like you, and work like you. What about someone who looks different? Someone new? Someone you think doesn’t belong?

Jesus had a way of cutting through the fluff and nonsense that religious people create. He said true holiness is about loving God and loving others – and all others, no exceptions. He said that true spirituality is about embracing a child, caring for the weak and outcast. He said that true goodness is about feeding the hungry person, visiting the sick, and being a companion to those who are in prison.

As disciples of Christ, it is our privilege to welcome others in the name of Christ. What would happen if we stopped expecting people to come through our church doors on their own initiative and instead took seriously our calling to bring the gospel to them? What would happen if we truly believed that we bear the presence of Christ to every person we encounter, in every home, workplace, or neighborhood we enter?

There’s no better time to begin again than this week. Even as we socially distance ourselves, we can spread joy when we get groceries, walk in our neighborhood, spend time at the lake, or even safely travel.

This week, I encourage you to intentionally seek someone out you normally wouldn’t – you know the type of person. I want you to look at them, acknowledge them - remembering that they too bare the very face of Christ.

Gracious father, if salvation were left up to us, we would be totally lost. We are so grateful that you moved first and came to us. Empower us to be your hands and feet. Teach us how to welcome others. Amen.

Peace,

Intern Pastor Meggie Bjertness

< Return to Sermons & Devotions