It\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
This is absolutely incredible!<\/p>\n
If you speak multiple languages, you know that words don\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n
The Lord\u2019s Favor<\/h2>\n
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:\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n\u201cAnd he came to\u00a0Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And\u00a0as was his custom,\u00a0he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up\u00a0to read.\u00a0And\u00a0the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written,<\/p>\n
\u2018The Spirit of the Lord\u00a0is upon me,
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0because he has anointed me
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0to\u00a0proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0and\u00a0recovering of sight to the blind,
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0to set at liberty those who are oppressed,
<\/strong>to proclaim the year of the Lord\u2019s favor.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\nThis is an incredible passage that gives us an insight into Jesus\u2019 mission on earth and what the kingdom of God looks like.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Lord\u2019s Welcome<\/h2>\n
I recently read that the word \u201cfavor\u201d in verse 19 could also be translated as \u201cwelcome.\u201d I haven\u2019t been able to stop thinking about that in the context of this verse.\u00a0<\/p>\n
When you think of the word \u201cfavor\u201d what comes to mind? I think of the word \u201cfavorite;\u201d I think of blessings and being chosen.\u00a0<\/p>\n
When you think of the word \u201cwelcome\u201d what comes to mind?<\/p>\n
I think of hospitality, sharing meals together, and Jesus\u2019 instruction to welcome the stranger.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I would like to explore what this proclamation of the Lord\u2019s welcome might look like for us and for those God might be inviting us to welcome.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Related Post<\/strong>: A Selah Moment<\/a><\/p>\n
We Have Been Welcomed by God<\/h2>\n
The entire Bible could be viewed as God\u2019s 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\u2014Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, the list goes on and on.<\/p>\n
The entire Bible could be viewed as God\u2019s welcome of humanity. ~ Sarah <\/a><\/span>Share on X<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n
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\u2014women, children, tax collectors, prostitutes, and more. Jesus lived a hospitable life and encouraged his followers to do the same.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Since We Have Been Welcomed by God, We Can Welcome Others<\/h2>\n
In the Old Testament, it\u2019s 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\u2014they weren\u2019t meant to live like that. Instead, they were to be a people of refuge and welcome.\u00a0<\/p>\n
We see this in the New Testament too. After Jesus\u2019 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.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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