It’s easy to overlook the fact that the stories we read in the Bible are the result of a translation of text that was written many centuries ago. We can forget that many people had a hand in shaping what we read in this beloved book today. Translators have taken that original language and transformed it into something that we can understand.
This is absolutely incredible!
If you speak multiple languages, you know that words don’t always have a direct translation from one language to the other. Sometimes things get lost in translation, and this happens with our Bibles too! The word in the original language can have an additional meaning to the one that we see printed in our English Bible. Sometimes, exploring another translation can help bring a different perspective to a story that we might be familiar with. I recently had this happen to me with a very famous Bible passage.
The Lord’s Favor
In Luke 4, Jesus is tempted by the devil and then returns to Galilee full of the power of the Holy Spirit. He begins teaching and people followed him. Luke 4:16-19 says this:
“And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read. And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written,
‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives
and recovering of sight to the blind,
to set at liberty those who are oppressed,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.’”
This is an incredible passage that gives us an insight into Jesus’ mission on earth and what the kingdom of God looks like.
The Lord’s Welcome
I recently read that the word “favor” in verse 19 could also be translated as “welcome.” I haven’t been able to stop thinking about that in the context of this verse.
When you think of the word “favor” what comes to mind? I think of the word “favorite;” I think of blessings and being chosen.
When you think of the word “welcome” what comes to mind?
I think of hospitality, sharing meals together, and Jesus’ instruction to welcome the stranger.
I would like to explore what this proclamation of the Lord’s welcome might look like for us and for those God might be inviting us to welcome.
We Have Been Welcomed by God
The entire Bible could be viewed as God’s welcome of humanity. From the very beginning, in creation, God invited people to participate, not only in caring for the earth, but in relationship with God. Even after sin entered the world, God continued to welcome people into relationship—Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, the list goes on and on.
The entire Bible could be viewed as God’s welcome of humanity. ~ Sarah Share on X
The most radical expression of welcome is when Jesus came to earth to walk among humanity. Throughout his life, Jesus welcomed those who were looked down upon by society—women, children, tax collectors, prostitutes, and more. Jesus lived a hospitable life and encouraged his followers to do the same.
Since We Have Been Welcomed by God, We Can Welcome Others
In the Old Testament, it’s striking how many instructions there are about welcoming the stranger. The Israelites knew what it was like to be outsiders who were unwelcome and without a home—they weren’t meant to live like that. Instead, they were to be a people of refuge and welcome.
We see this in the New Testament too. After Jesus’ death and resurrection, his followers carried this life of radical welcome forward. Ananias welcomed in Paul who had persecuted the followers of Jesus. Both Paul and Peter were sent to the Gentiles to welcome them into the kingdom of God.
Related Post: Reflection on Psalm 100
And I believe this is an invitation for us today:
How can we be a people of welcome in an unwelcoming world?
Welcoming in Action
This will, of course, look different for all of us depending on our context, but I believe we all have an opportunity to look even more like Jesus in our communities.
Maybe it means inviting some neighbors over for a meal or intentionally getting to know the new coworker at work.
Maybe it looks like partnering with an organization that is serving refugees, unhoused people, or others who are in need of welcome.
It could look like adopting a local school and helping to make sure those children and families feel welcome. Or it could look like advocating in your local community so the laws are more welcoming to all.
I encourage you to ask God what participating in God’s radical welcome could look like for you. We have been welcomed by God, and given a place in God’s family. It is our joy to extend that to those in our communities, too.
From the Desk of Sarah J Callen
Candid Moments
The Lord is constantly extending invitations to us to experience His presence, join His mission, and become more like Him, to name a few. We are already invited; we get to choose how we respond.
In Candid Moments: Responding to God’s Invitations in Every Season, we explore some of God’s invitations and reflect on our response. For twenty-one days, let’s explore what God is inviting us to, and along the way, we will learn more about who God is and who He created us to be!
