“Whoever welcomes you welcomes me.”

That’s what Jesus says: “Whoever welcomes you, welcomes me.”

When you hear the word, “welcome,” what do you think of? How do you like to be welcomed? Do you like to be welcomed with a drink, like when someone brings out a nice tray of lemonade? Do you like to be welcomed with a snack—some cheese and crackers or cookies? Have you noticed that there are some people who take such deep joy in welcoming people with a snack or with something to drink? It’s a sign that they have prepared for your visit or a sign that they are happy to see you.

In my second call, there was one woman I would visit regularly. Every time, without fail, she would have homemade cookies and tea ready for me. I quickly learned to show up to her house with an appetite because she rarely let me leave without eating at least three of those cookies and taking a container full with me when I left.

On the other hand, what are the things that make you feel unwelcome? You know, when you when you knock on the door and the person opens the door but then they refuse to get out of the doorway. Or when there’s no place for you to sit? Or when no one offers to take your coat. Those are things that make us feel UN-welcomed, right? They make us feel like our host would be so much happier if we’d just go away, that we’re imposing on someone’s life just by being present.

Jesus says, “Whoever welcomes you, welcomes me,” and so whoever welcomes us welcomes Christ. We are called, then, to prepare a welcome for other people—and not just in our home! Not just in our home, but it’s everywhere. In our community, in our church, everywhere. We are called to make every place we inhabit a place of welcome where people feel seen and loved and taken for who they are.

When we welcome people, we do not say, “You are welcome, but only if you think the exact same way that we do or only if you look the exact same way that we do or only if you live the exact same way we do.” That is not welcome or, more specifically, that is not God’s welcome. That is a welcome born out of our own sinful impulses that expects everyone to conform to our way of being.

We also cannot welcome people into spaces where they might not be safe, either in body or soul. We cannot say, “You are welcome but some people here might deny your identity.” We cannot say, “You are welcome but some people here might not believe what you have to say when you describe your life experiences.” We cannot say, “You are welcome here but some of us might not be willing to sacrifice for you.”

All people are welcome, but not all behavior is welcome. And someone who abuses or harms or disrespects others in the community is welcome—but only once they stop the hurtful behavior and seek reconciliation. They are not unwelcome because of who they are, but because of the actions they choose to do.

God’s welcome is one of utter selflessness of sacrifice—of putting the one who is being welcomed above the one who is doing the welcoming.

“Whoever welcomes you, welcomes me.”

This reminds me of another really important point: I honestly don’t think that all of the onus is on the welcome. I think that we have a responsibly as guests. When we are out in the community, when we are in someone else’s space, when we are in someone else’s home, we are the guest and as the guest, we are called to help the one who is welcoming us see the love of God through us and what we do.

So, what makes a rude guest? Obviously, this notion of a rude or good guest varies a lot on your relationship with that person, but what’s your take? I’ll take suggestions what makes a rude guest—go ahead and give me some examples!

Maybe someone who puts their feet up on the furniture? Maybe someone who, without asking, starts going through your fridge to see if there is a snack they might have? Maybe someone who treats your pets poorly or who disciplines your children for doing something they are allowed to do?

Alright, let’s flip the coin: what makes a lovely guest? What makes the kind of person that you actually wouldn’t mind if they stayed just a little bit longer?

Someone who, if they make a mess, tides up after themselves? I mean, how awesome is it when you have a guest stay at your home and before they leave they ask if they should strip the bed or put the towels they used by the washer? What else makes a lovely guest? Someone who brings a bottle of wine maybe or something else when they come to visit? What makes a good guest for you?

Jesus says, “Whoever welcomes you, welcomes me.” We are called in this in this verse to be both the gracious host and the gentle guest. We are called to be someone who exudes the love of Christ in what we do and how we behave towards those who welcome us and how we behave towards those who come to us for welcome.

“Whoever welcomes you, welcomes me.”

In the church, in our community, in our world: let us be beacons of Christ’s love and welcome.

Amen.

– Rev. Rebecca Ajer Frantz, Lutheran Church of Our Saviour

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