December 4th Reflection - Welcome - by Bill Lynch

Romans 15:4-13
For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, so that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope. May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus, so that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

 Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the circumcised on behalf of the truth of God in order that he might confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written,
‘Therefore I will confess you among the Gentiles,
   and sing praises to your name’;
and again he says,
‘Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people’;
and again,
‘Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles,
   and let all the peoples praise him’;
and again Isaiah says,
‘The root of Jesse shall come,
   the one who rises to rule the Gentiles;
in him the Gentiles shall hope.’
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Reflection - Welcome
It's always turned around it seems by Jesus. It reminds me of the words of a song that the grandchildren, or as they refer to themselves, the "kids," are practicing in choir. "Inside, outside, upside down, over, under, all the way around; I know God loves you yes he does oh yes."

Here it's turned around in that this passage mentions that Christ has welcomed me? Now, if God sent Jesus in flesh into this world; wouldn't I be the one to welcome him? But, I suppose it's more about welcoming one another to what.

Jesus welcomes you and me into the realm of heavenly glory. Through his coming to us, Jesus saves us from our sentence of eternal damnation and hell and welcomes us into the heavenly realm of glory as we follow him in his way.

Once again it's about what God has done for us. And Jesus exhorts us to respond likewise to one another. To welcome one another to follow Jesus. We are to unite in our oneness in Christ. Jesus is the center, the main theme, the One in whom we live and breathe and exist, the One who welcomes us into heaven through his resurrection.

We too can welcome one another into this heavenly realm of glory because of what Jesus has done. How glad I am to be welcomed by Jesus... and how joyful I am to welcome you too to walk with me as we follow Jesus in a discipleship of unity and love and truth in Jesus, our Lord and Savior.

Prayer
Lord, I can't say it much better than Paul put it above... "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Come, Lord Jesus, come... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen