How can we welcome others as Jesus describes in Mark 9:37 today? The Heart of Jesus’ Welcome “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in My name welcomes Me; and whoever welcomes Me welcomes not only Me, but the One who sent Me.” (Mark 9:37) • Jesus ties our treatment of “the least” directly to Himself and to the Father. • The verb “welcomes” (Greek: dechomai) means to receive gladly, to take into one’s home and heart. • Because Scripture is true in every detail, this command still stands unchanged for believers today. Seeing People Through Jesus’ Eyes • Children in Jesus’ day held no status; by highlighting them, He spotlights the overlooked. • Scripture broadens the category to all who are vulnerable or marginalized (Matthew 25:35–40; Psalm 68:5–6). • Welcoming begins with a mindset that every person bears God’s image (Genesis 1:27). Practical Ways to Welcome Today • Open your home: share a meal, offer a guest room, create a safe space (Romans 12:13; 1 Peter 4:9). • Show personal attention at church: greet newcomers by name, sit with those alone (Romans 15:7). • Serve families: provide childcare, mentor teens, support single parents (James 1:27). • Engage the community: volunteer at shelters, visit nursing homes, tutor refugees (Hebrews 13:2). • Practice financial generosity: discreetly cover costs for meals, school supplies, or medical bills (Proverbs 19:17). • Use words of affirmation: speak blessing, encouragement, and Scripture over people (Ephesians 4:29). Guarding Against Partiality • James 2:1–4 warns against favoring the wealthy or influential. • Galatians 3:28 reminds us that ethnic, social, and gender divisions dissolve in Christ. • Examine seating charts, friend circles, and ministry rosters for hidden bias; adjust accordingly. Remembering Whom We Ultimately Receive • Each welcome reaches beyond the person to Christ Himself (Mark 9:37). • Hebrews 13:2 adds that some have “entertained angels without knowing it.” • Conscious awareness of His presence transforms ordinary hospitality into worship. Encouragement from the Early Church • Acts 2:46–47 paints believers “breaking bread from house to house,” and “the Lord added to their number daily.” • Genuine, everyday hospitality became a key instrument for gospel growth. Cultivating a Lifestyle of Hospitality • Schedule margin: leave open evenings or budget lines for spontaneous needs. • Teach children to share toys and space; model cheerful giving. • Keep simple, ready-to-heat meals or extra gift cards on hand for sudden opportunities. • Pray as a family that God will send people to love, then watch expectantly (Colossians 4:2–3). Living Out Mark 9:37 This Week • Invite someone new—child, neighbor, student, elder—for a meal or outing. • Write a note of encouragement with a specific Scripture verse. • Volunteer one hour to a ministry that serves society’s “least.” • Greet every person you meet—cashier, coworker, classmate—as though greeting Jesus Himself. Welcoming others in His name is not optional add-on ministry; it is our living response to the Savior who first welcomed us (John 13:34). |
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