Please, Sit Down!

Happy Sabbath! 

How do we welcome guests? 

There may be some people who welcome all guests equally without discrimination, but maybe there are also those who treat guests differently. 

For example: if this guest is someone we know well or important or high-ranking people who come, then we will welcome him very extraordinary which we do not usually do when welcoming ordinary guests. 

There is also maybe we see someone’s appearance. Do they look like rich or poor people? Are they wearing dirty, neat but modest, or extravagant clothes? Then we will treat them according to their appearance. 

Let’s read together what the Bible has to say about this in James 2. “My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?” (Verses 1-4) 

This verse goes on to give us a piece of advice, “Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats? Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called? If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well: But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.” (Verses 5-9)

So my dear brothers and sisters, let us welcome and serve people without discrimination.  

May the Sabbath blessing be a part of us all. Amen.