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Romans 15:7-13, “Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God. Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers: And that the Gentiles might glorify God for His mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to Thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto Thy name. And again he saith, Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with His people. And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud Him, all ye people. And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and He that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in Him shall the Gentiles trust. Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.”
In five English words, “as Christ also received us,” today’s passage sweeps us back through the entirety of the gospel. We were received by Jesus Christ when we were rebels, not guests. Jesus paid the cover charge with His blood. That same prodigious hospitality now becomes the pattern and power for the fellowship within our churches and from church to church.
Worth notice are the five Old Testament quotes within vv. 9-12. (As homework you can dig in and discover what those five texts are. I’ll get you started. In v. 9, both 2 Samuel 22:50 and Psalm 18:49 are quoted.) Here is why we should note those OT quotes. Jews and Gentile alike are singing the same song. That has always been the intention of God, not just some New Testament development. Isaiah (another hint) foresaw “the Root of Jesse” rising to rule the nations, and “in Him shall the Gentiles trust [hope].” Our diverse tables, growth groups, and friendships thus become living prophecies fulfilled. Every time we extend an unforced, uncalculated welcome across ethnic, generational, or socio-economic lines, we echo Scripture and display the God who never breaks a promise.
Today’s text closes with a benediction (v. 13). Joy and peace sprout and grow in the soil of gospel-rooted welcome. Hope overflows from hearts that have quit ranking one another and are focused on receiving one another. Remember, we once were outsiders, but Christ Jesus threw the door wide for us. Let’s pray that He fills us with His joy so that our homes, our churches, and our individual interactions become invitations to Christ’s kingdom.