#BeLikeJesus - Jesus Welcomed

By Central Women

Welcome Back! Let’s dive into week one: Jesus welcomed.

It might seem interesting to dive into this word of “welcome.” Didn’t people “welcome” Jesus? He never had a home of His own… how could He possibly welcome others? Stay tuned this week, because we will find out together. 

We’re going to talk about things like hospitality and proximity, about the messiness of people, and the nourishment a friendly welcome. 

To get you started, consider these questions:

Do you see meals as a way to serve others’ spiritual needs?

Have you ever experienced a “God moment” or “God story” when you were welcoming others into your home, your presence, your life? 

We might not be able to host people in our homes or welcome others in the way we used to, so what does that look like now to welcome others? You have a unique context, so consider your unique situation and determine how you will welcome others. 

As you navigate the week, I pray this statement is at the forefront of your mind:

If I want to #BelikeJesus, then the people Jesus spent time with, I should spend time with and the people Jesus ate with, I should eat with.

It’s time to #BelikeJesus!

Day 1: “You are Welcomed Here”

Every time I would pull into the driveway of my grandma’s house, my heart grew with excitement because grandma’s house was always the best place to be. My grandma welcomed anyone and everyone into her house. If you were a friend of one of her grandchildren, she would welcome you in like she had known you her whole life.

When she welcomed you in, she offered you something to eat, drink, or a spot to just relax. Her goal was to make sure her home felt welcoming to those who might not be welcomed at their own homes or anywhere. It did not matter who you were, what you did, or what you stood for you were always welcomed into her house. She made sure to make everyone feel like they had a place where they belonged.

“You are welcomed here” is a phrase that everyone wants to hear. There is nothing better than being welcomed into places. Especially into places where you feel you might not belong. Some places might not welcome everyone based on their appearance, ethnicity, and even gender.

However, Jesus looks at people and says, “Welcome”. He does not look at their appearance, ethnicity, or gender instead He sees His son or daughter.

Jesus was always willing to welcome everyone in. Not only did He welcome everyone is. He makes a promise to do so much more.

“35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.” (Matthew 25:35-36)

At times, it might be hard to go outside our comfort zones and welcome in those who are not a part of our circle. In the end when we do go outside our comfort zones it will be rewarding. Showing love to those who are looked at as different can be transforming.

My grandma met the needs of so many people that she did not really know. I believe she did it because Jesus met her needs so many times in her life. She welcomed others in, because first and foremost Jesus welcomed her in.

As followers of Christ, we should strive to be more and more like Him. Following Jesus was never meant to be a bland experience that stays in the four walls of a building. The church was meant to flip community’s upside down and that is what we are to do.

• Has there been a time where others have welcomed you into their space? Did it feel inviting?
• Are there any things that make you nervous about welcoming those in who are different than you?
• Has there been a person that God is calling you to welcome into your space? How is it making you feel? What is God calling you to do to welcome them in?

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for your welcoming presence that you show your people every single day. Help us have an open heart and mind when it comes to welcoming others in even when we do not want to. We thank you that you met our needs and help us try to meet the needs of others who do not feel welcomed. We love you and we thank you!