Welcome!

It’s such a great feeling to go to a family member’s home or that of a good friend’s and as you ring the doorbell or knock on the door, you are welcomed with a hug and urged, “Come on in.”

You are directed to a comfortable place to sit, probably given a hot drink or a cold one, depending on the weather, and you pick up where you left off the last time you visited. You are comfortable, feeling “at home. You belong here at this spot, at this time. You are welcomed.

I just finished reading Luke 9 :10-17 where the Twelve have returned to report to Jesus what they had experienced after He had sent them out, empowered  to heal and preach the Good News. He led them to a quiet place in the hills above Bethsaida to debrief further.

Somehow the crowds discovered where He was and converged on Jesus and His disciples. Here is what I had never before noticed in this particular Gospel passage.

Luke say, “He welcomed them.” (meaning this uninvited crowd of people). Jesus didn’t say, “I’m busy here with My men. Come back tomorrow.” He must have told them to sit down and get comfortable for Luke writes that Jesus then taught them about the Kingdom of God and healed all those who were sick.

The remainder of the passage tells of the miracle of feeding 5000 men plus their wives and children using five loaves and two fishes. But you can read that awesome story for yourself.

I love the welcoming compassion I see in Jesus in Luke’s account. Jesus still welcomes us today. When someone decides to surrender their life to Christ, He welcomes them into His family. When someone passes through death’s door who belongs to Christ, He welcomes them to their new home in heaven.

This is especially meaningful to me and others who have lost friends and family members. Three dear brothers in Christ have recently taken up new homes in heaven and I love the idea of Jesus welcoming each of His boys into that mansion He had ready for them (see John 14:2)

What an awesome Lord we serve, who never tires of welcoming His children home.