The Welcome Wagon

40 “Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. 41 Whoever welcomes a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever welcomes a righteous person in the name of a righteous person will receive the reward of the righteous, 42 and whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple—truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward.”

The Welcome Wagon

Does anybody else remember the Welcome Wagon? I have a vague recollection, as a child, of this mysterious entity that knew when somebody new moved into a neighborhood. The mysterious “they” would leave some kind of housewarming gift. I really have no idea what it might have been. I think silicon potholders or something, but my young mind thought it was pretty cool.

These days the welcome wagon exists in the form of coupon packets to start you off right. Discounts on new windows, carpet cleaning, pool services, landscaping. Sure, we get those every week but, when I moved into this house, those discounts were bundled into a green envelope that said, “Welcome to the neighborhood.”

Jesus calls us to welcome our neighbors into the Kingdom of God! Not just the heavenly eternal kingdom but the kingdom he brought to earth 2000+ years ago. The one that exists in your own neighborhood. And not with a distant wave and one-time introduction, but with a personal and heartfelt welcome that persists.

What might that look like? I had company over the other night and I did a number of things in the hope of making my friends feel welcome. I made homemade ice cream; I dusted; I took out the trash. I took a nap. And when they arrived, they got a warm hug and invitation to join me at my table.

Is this what we do to welcome friends and strangers into the kingdom of God? Perhaps. Let’s start with the ice cream. Jesus fed people. There is something very personal, welcoming and special about feeding people but, remember, Jesus is the ‘bread of life.’ To welcome somebody into the kingdom is to feed them with the word of God that tells them how much God loves them and sent His only Son in order that they won’t hunger and thirst again.

I dusted. It’s easy to grow complacent and, in our complacency, the dust gathers. We forget how to be Christ’s presence for our neighbors. Maybe it’s time to remove the cobwebs from our minds so that we can see God’s will and Jesus’ example of love and welcome.

I took out the trash….words that hurt, behaviors that scream hypocrisy, acts of judgment. These are not the things that welcome newcomers. They exist in all of us. We are sinners. But we are, simultaneously, called to be saints, God’s holy priesthood. Ask for God’s help and the Spirit’s guidance to act with love toward all of God’s people.

Then I took a nap! Rest your soul in God’s peace. He gave us the Sabbath for our benefit, not his. Be still in God’s Word. Listen. Rejuvenate. 21st century Americans are busy and overstimulated. Nonetheless, we are still called to spread the good news of God’s love in Jesus Christ. We are still called to welcome our neighbors.

Jesus said, “Whoever welcomes me, welcomes the Father.” That works in many directions. When we welcome our neighbors into our life with Christ, we may be giving them their first opportunity to feel God’s warm inviting hug embracing them and welcoming them into his love.