Why do we care about welcome? Is it simply a matter of good manners, a box to tick on our spiritual checklist? Or is there something far more profound, something deeply rooted in the very fabric of our faith? Let’s explore this question, referencing Ephesians 3 and a mirror to help us see more clearly.

Ephesians 3: 6-19

“This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.

 I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power. Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ, and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.

A Prayer for the Ephesians

 For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name.  I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”

Paul's writings, with their talk of mysteries, revelations, and heavenly realms, can sometimes feel daunting. It's easy to get lost in the abstract concepts of grace and wisdom. But by grounding ourselves in the foundational story of creation, we can begin to unravel the threads of Paul's message and understand its relevance to our lives, and particularly, to how we welcome others.

Think back to Genesis. While the creation narratives share similarities with other ancient stories, the underlying theology is uniquely profound. God created a world He declared "good," and humanity, uniquely, in His image. This wasn't merely a physical resemblance, but a reflection of God's very nature – our identity, who we are, where we find our true home and how we are called to live and be.

This is where the mirror first comes in. As we look at ourselves, we must remember that the "mystery" Paul speaks of is rooted in this creation. It's the truth that we are made in God's image, called to reflect His goodness. And this truth is intrinsically linked to welcome.

The mystery, once hidden, now revealed, is God's original plan: that all people, regardless of background or origin, should belong. Not just jews, but gentiles alike. To know that they are heirs, a family, through Christ.

Sadly, our world, then and now, often builds walls, fostering division and isolation. We see this play out in heartbreaking ways daily. But Ephesians calls us to something radically different. Within Christ's Church, we are called to mirror the very heart of God, to reflect His image of goodness, inclusion, and welcome.

But when we look in the mirror, we often struggle to see God's reflection. We are burdened by our mistakes, our weaknesses, and the tribalism that permeates our society. How can we, flawed as we are, possibly reflect God's image?

Paul himself wrestled with this. He would have once struggled to look at himself in the mirror. But he, a former persecutor of the Church, found redemption and purpose through Christ's love and forgiveness – through grace. This grace transformed him, empowering him to share the very gospel he once sought to destroy.

Grace isn't just a theological term; it's a transformative power that changes how we see ourselves and, consequently, how we see others. Through grace, we recognise God's mark on our lives, breaking down the walls that divide us and allowing us to see Christ's image in everyone we encounter.

Becoming a church that welcomes means embracing our role as servants of God, both through the grace we receive and the grace we extend. And at the heart of this service lies love.

Paul prays that we would be "rooted and established in love." He understood that true welcome stems from love. Jesus' command to "love your neighbor as yourself" isn't about quantifying love, but about channelling the same divine love we've received. It's about drawing from the source of love that created the world, that offers grace and acceptance – God Himself.

Paul paints a picture of the church as a family, a community built on love and welcome. This isn't merely about individuals caring for each other, but about forging a collective identity rooted in Christ's love.

However, here the mirror analogy ultimately falls short. God's love isn't just something to be reflected; it's meant to dwell within us, to transform us from the inside out. This is why Paul's prayer for the Ephesians, and for us, is so powerful.

As The Message translation puts it: "My response is to get down on my knees before the Father, this magnificent Father who parcels out all heaven and earth. I ask him to strengthen you by his Spirit—not a brute strength but a glorious inner strength—that Christ will live in you as you open the door and invite him in. And I ask him that with both feet planted firmly on love, you’ll be able to take in with all followers of Jesus the extravagant dimensions of Christ’s love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God.”

Welcome isn't just about opening our doors; it's about opening our hearts, allowing Christ to dwell within us, and extending His love to everyone we meet. It's about living out the profound truth that we are all created in God's image, and that we are all invited to belong.

Lucy Barbour