How do you know when you’re made to feel welcome? What do you look for?
Jesus was made to feel welcome whenever he visited a place called Bethany. He knew he would be welcome there because of three people – Martha, Mary and Lazarus.
Martha evidently took a leading role in hospitality. She knew that to make someone feel welcome was all about preparation, activity and setting the right environment. Is everything in place? Do people feel comfortable? Is there enough to eat? Is there anything else that is needed? Do things need to be tidied up? All these need to be answered so that Jesus and His followers can be welcome in our home. It’s about environment. It’s about serving. It’s about ensuring everything can be done to express comfort as much as possible.
No wonder Jesus loved coming to Bethany – He knew that Martha would make Him feel welcome.
Mary gave Jesus her attention. Making Him welcome was about relationship and developing that rapport with Him on the personal basis. Such was her love for Him and all He did that on one occasion she felt free to express herself y getting a massively expensive oil and anointing the feet of Jesus with it. No expense was spared in showing her love to Jesus. Others might get upset about her devotion, but she was focused, she was thankful, she was not inhibited in her own home to let Jesus know just how much He was loved by her.
No wonder Jesus loved coming to Bethany – He knew that Mary would make Him feel welcome.
When Lazarus died, it was a measure of the love that Jesus had for the family that He was called for, that His absence was missed and that the sisters believed that Jesus could do something about it. It was also a measure of His love for them that He was able to come and show Himself for who He was by raising Lazarus from the dead. That indication was received very well by that family who were keen to show their love by going on to make Jesus feel right at home with them.
No wonder Jesus loved coming to Bethany – He knew here was a family that loved to see Him. Here was a family that embraced Him and were open to grow through correction, grow through revelation and grow through active participation with Jesus.
So much can be learned about what it is to make Jesus welcome from the outstanding example of the folks from Bethany. Often we miss it by either being too activity driven or appearing overly familiar. Either way falling into extremes that miss the point of why Jesus loves to feel welcome among us.
Despite that, if we’re receptive and sensitive, as the family were open to correction, so we can receive the correction so that we too can embrace the Resurrection and the Life.
Is Jesus welcome where you are?
(Photo by Kristina Paparo on Unsplash)
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
Life With CD 