Women of Welcome: Christ-Like WelcomeShembull

A word from Bri Stensrud

The creation of the world.

The Word made flesh.

The God of the universe walking the earth in human form.

All of these things are extremely hard to comprehend. We believe that they happened, as we have faith that these stories are true, but sometimes we struggle with the hows and the whys, the practical application of these things.

The same was true of the disciples. They had the most intimate access to Jesus. They were firsthand witnesses to his unbelievable miracles. They heard his wisdom and teaching daily. And yet, when it came to engaging the practical things of life around them, they were plagued with doubt and often overcome by fear.

In Mark 6:30-43, the entire group is exhausted and looking to find a solution. Their doubt about Christ’s abundance persisted:

“The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, ‘Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.’

“So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place. But many who saw them leaving recognized them and ran on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.

“By this time it was late in the day, so his disciples came to him. ‘This is a remote place,’ they said, ‘and it’s already very late. Send the people away so that they can go to the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.’

“But he answered, ‘You give them something to eat.’

“They said to him, ‘That would take more than half a year’s wages! Are we to go and spend that much on bread and give it to them to eat?’

“‘How many loaves do you have?’ he asked. ‘Go and see.’

“When they found out, they said, ‘Five—and two fish.’

“Then Jesus directed them to have all the people sit down in groups on the green grass. So they sat down in groups of hundreds and fifties. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to his disciples to distribute to the people. He also divided the two fish among them all. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces of bread and fish.”

John 20:24-29 is the famous story of Thomas’s persistent doubt, even after his closest friends told him they had seen Christ resurrected:

“Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, ‘We have seen the Lord.’ But he said to them, ‘Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.’

“Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.’ Thomas answered him, ‘My Lord and my God!’ Jesus said to him, ‘Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.’

Jesus knew that Thomas was struggling and would need to see him physically. Jesus is familiar with all our ways.

As the disciples show us, we can walk with Jesus and still be afraid.

Our best friends can testify to his power and presence, and yet doubt can still be present.

His grace and welcome remain the same.

Thoughtful Questions:

1. Have you ever noticed that fear and doubt are most readily present when you’re physically or emotionally exhausted? What does the story in Mark 6 above remind us when we’re in this state?

2. Write down some of your persistent fears.

3. Write down some of your persistent doubts.

4. If Jesus were physically sitting next to you, what do you suppose he’d say to you about these things?