Come To Think Of It...

And that's what I'm doing, thinking about that word, come. It's a welcoming word most of the time, unless, I put my hands on my hips and say, Come on now! You've gotta be kidding!" Or, if my grandfather missed what I said, he'd cup an ear and say, "Come again?" But mostly, it's an invitation to come in, come close, or come for. And we have no better model than Jesus, as one who invites us to come.

Still, according to Isaiah 53:2 there was "no form on comeliness" in him. In other words, nothing about his appearance that drew people to come to Jesus. So what did? It was his manner and message. And especially, his message to those who felt unwelcome to sit at head tables or enter through the front doors of life.

So what is a welcome? When I say, "Welcome, Julie.", what am I saying? Well, according to one source it means, "One whose coming suits another's will or wish." And it is wonderful to welcome family, friends and good neighbors. But life's made up of more than my favorites. There are some I would not be inclined to welcome. You, too? Like Anne Lamott wrote, "You can safely assume that you have created God in your own image when it turns out that God hates all the same people you do."

And that's the problem in our culture, some churches and families today in the USA. Our message and manner contradict or confuse the Good News of Jesus. Sometimes, our welcome is not faring so well. But when I look at the Bible and the model Jesus set for me, I cannot shrink the welcome to those who think, look or act like me. Grace stretches wide and goes deep. And makes no sense. Thank, God!

So this morning I looked for a few of God's invitations. Some of you who grew up in the church will know these well. Bible verses like, "Come to me all you who are weary and heavy laden...and I'll give you rest."(Matthew 11:28-30) Or "Come now, let us reason together..."(Isaiah 1:18) And "Let the little children come to me..."(Matthew 19:14) Or one of my favorites, "Come and eat breakfast." (John 21:12)

But best of all is the one in Revelation 3:20, NLT, that reads, "Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends." Imagine Jesus inviting us to open the doors of our hearts so He can come in! As I write, I hear an old hymn in my head, "Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling." And what's the invitation? "Come home."

The politics of today has turned many away from Jesus and the church. But no political party has Jesus in their pocket. We are called to "Welcome one another as Christ welcomed us. (Romans 15:7) We're not to act like holy bouncers, blocking people from entering our homes and churches unless they have the proper I.D. Jesus goes so far as to tell us to welcome strangers. (Matthew 25:34-40) Well, this is some pretty heavy stuff. I'm feeling both challenged and guilty for some of my attitudes. But I know where to go. Wonder if I can still catch breakfast with Jesus?

Come to think of it...Like Tony Campollo reminded us in a sermon, "It's Friday but Sunday's coming."

So, stay hopeful and give church another look and listen.

There's still time to come home.

Well come.