A Rich Welcome

“Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God's truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written, 'Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles, and sing to your name’” (Romans 15:7-9).

There is something beautiful at church--the welcoming of one another. Handshaking (or in my Spanish Bible study, a kiss on the cheek and a grand abrazo). Hugs. Warm wishes. A simple gesture, a welcome. It comes from the Greek proslambanō, meaning “to take, to take to one’s self, to receive into one’s home, grant access to one’s heart.” A simple gesture, yet how costly. Paul penned these words in what many scholars speculate was a divided church, broken between Jews and Gentiles. To welcome is costly—it cost Christ his life on the cross to welcome us into the presence of God. It took Christ his life for us to welcome one another—it is himself who is the peace between us (Eph. 2:14). In this costly gift of love and reconciliation, God was glorified.

In both Ephesians and Romans, Paul sees this reconciliation as an eschatological breakthrough, a reconciliation of cosmic proportions, and the fulfillment of promises. Just look at the words—God’s glory, truthfulness, promise, mercy, servant….. Rich themes from the Old Testament, now fulfilled, now a reality that characterize our church, our lives! Rejoice! 

There is something deeply at stake in Paul’s letter. Yes, it is about justification by faith. Yet, it is also a vindication of God’s righteousness. Did God forsake Israel? If he did, will he forsake the Gentiles? Why should we trust him? Paul is showing God’s faithfulness throughout his letter. Indeed, Romans 9-11 is not a small addendum (as some hold) but an important part of his argument.

The same theme is echoed here. God is faithful. Our becoming one people, our welcoming one another, springs from Christ’s fulfillment of the promises to show God’s truthfulness for his glory. Is welcoming one another a light thing? No, this simple act has eternity’s plan and God’s glory and Christ’s death behind it. We are now one people in him; we are given the love of God in order to extend it to others.Welcoming-- a simple act, rich meaning, breath-taking fulfillment.

Paul gives a stream of quotations, which also reinforce the theme. It is easy to read them point blank, yet they carry rich textual echoes. Paul cites, “For this I will praise you, O LORD, among the nations, and sing praises to your name” (2 Sam. 22:50, cited in Rom. 15:9).

“God is the Rock of Salvation” (2 Sam. 22:47)—and truly Christ has shown how certain is that salvation!

“Great salvation he brings to his king, and shows his steadfast love to his anointed, to David and his offspring forever” (2 Sam. 22:51) –and Paul has argued that God has not forsaken Israel. Indeed, God has shown faithfulness to Christ and his new people. The Gentiles are now included in Israel (Rom. 11). Great is God’s faithfulness!

Perhaps Paul is even remembering his first chapter of Romans as he cited 2 Sam. 22:50. David sings of God’s judgment on his enemies and uses nature to describe the power of God in 2 Samuel; Paul speaks of God's judgment and his revelation in nature to mention the power of God. 

Yet, there is a contrast as well that heightens the grace and mercy of God and the grand eschatological breakthrough. David speaks of “cringing foreigners”  and “peoples brought down under him” (2 Sam. 22:45, 48). “Foreigners” surely refer to Gentiles. Yet, now the Gentiles are included (Paul is careful to show in Romans and his other epistles this had always been in God’s plan; it had just been hidden, as Ephesians calls it a mystery, until Christ). What a new thing! What a new creation! What an eschatological breakthrough of a new age! What mercy and grace of God! In this way, this discordant note rings out Paul’s gospel as well.

What a welcome. A welcome full of ancient promises, mighty mercy, costly sacrifice, trustworthiness, faithfulness, grace, mercy, and incredible newness wrought by Christ.

This great story from David to David’s Son Jesus is played out in his people, as we receive one another. As we cross cultural, ethnic, generational differences, as we accept those who wear their hair differently or dress differently or have different income levels or different languages or accents, we play out the great redemption story, we show God’s faithfulness in Christ.

Dwell on what it means to be welcomed by Christ--we who were not a people. Be embraced by his faithfulness, truthfulness, mercy, and grace. He has opened his heart to us, so far that the blood spilled out. Let yourself be washed by the grace and justification of Romans chapter 3, the freedom of chapter 6 and 7, the Spirit and sonship and love of chapter 8, the faithfulness of chapters 9-11. Therefore, welcome one another.... In this attitude of love and grace, richly given to us, we welcome one another as Christ welcomed us, to the glory of God.