Radical Welcome, in God’ s Image
Trevor Hahn, Chair of Trustees, reflects on God, in whose image we are made.
God’ s holiness is one attribute that has always intrigued me. Wholly other, completely different, in a category all of His own. He cannot be compared to anyone, He is unique, one of a kind, separate, distinct, unparalleled, unadulterated, matchless, unrivalled, unequalled, absolute in purity and majesty. Yet, this holy, wholly other, utterly separate, and altogether distinct God chooses to make Himself known and desires to welcome everyone, even those whom everyone else rejects.
The same‘ Holy, Holy, Holy … Lord Almighty’ whom Isaiah saw in a heavenly vision and proclaimed‘ Woe is me … I am ruined … for I am a man of unclean lips’( Isaiah 6:3-5); the same God at whose feet Peter fell, after witnessing the miracle catch of fish, and proclaimed‘ Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man,’( Luke 5:8); the same God welcomes the sinner, eats with tax collectors, and embraces the lost and broken. Our loving Father does not just welcome the prodigal son on his return, but runs – yes runs, against every rule of decorum and etiquette – to embrace him( Luke 15:20). Jesus eats with tax collectors and sinners( Luke 5:27-32); Jesus not only healed the woman with the issue of blood but also welcomed her back into community( Luke 8:40-48); Jesus welcomed a woman, excluded for 18 years, into His Kingdom by referring to her as a‘ daughter of Abraham’( Luke 13:10-17).
God’ s welcome extends even further, He leaves the 99 sheep to seek the one that was lost( Luke 15:1-7); He leaves the party celebrating the prodigal son’ s return to bring back the elder son( Luke 15:28). And Jesus even left the glory of heaven to come to earth, emptying Himself of all but love to reveal to us the Father’ s welcome. He died for us on the cross so heaven’ s welcome would be available to each and every one of us.
Yet there is more. Not only did He welcome Isaiah with‘ unclean lips’ and Peter the‘ sinful man’ but He restores, transforms, cleanses, equips, and sends us out to extend His welcome to others. Isaiah, touched by a live coal, had his sin removed and was sent out with God’ s message. Peter was told‘ Don’ t be afraid, from now on you will catch men’, and he followed Jesus. Not only does Jesus welcome us, but He commissions us to go out and offer that welcome to others.
To whom is Jesus sending you?
Welcome is something we can all model, like Jesus.
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