Do you want to show someone how much you value their presence? Are you looking for ways to make your guests feel welcomed and accepted in your space or at an event?
The Bible is the perfect source of inspiration when it comes to crafting heartfelt, meaningful messages of welcome.
Today, we will explore some inviting Bible verses that perfectly encapsulate the spirit of warm hospitality.
Bible Verses About Welcome
Welcoming others is an essential part of Christian love and hospitality. Here are Bible verses on the theme of welcome.
Welcoming Jesus
As followers of Christ, we hold firm to the belief that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior – and we wholeheartedly invite Him into our hearts and lives, with a pledge to follow His teachings in every aspect of our daily routine.
Through various stories shared in the Bible, we see numerous examples of individuals who have welcomed Jesus into their homes and lives the same way we do. For instance, when Jesus visited Martha and Mary’s home, they opened up their doors to Him warmly by serving Him so dearly.
Another example can be found when multitudes of children welcomed Jesus into Jerusalem with jubilation, excitedly cheering on His arrival with palm branches as they shouted “Hosanna!”
Welcoming Jesus into our lives opens us up to His unconditional love and unwavering grace. We get to tangibly experience His presence in everything we do and encounter on a day-to-day basis; finding solace in Him leads us to a life enriched with immense joy and peace.
Moreover, as believers, we must show our love for Jesus by following His commands fervently while serving Him wholeheartedly.
Matthew 25:35-36
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.”
Revelation 3:20
“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.”
Hebrews 13:2
“Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.”
Luke 10:38-42
“As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, ‘Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!’ ‘Martha, Martha,’ the Lord answered, ‘you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.'”
Matthew 10:40
“Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.”
Also Read: 25 Bible Verses for Ash Wednesday (With Commentary)
Welcoming One Another
In the Bible, we have been instructed to practice love towards each other. And just as Christ has shown us an example of how to love, we too must follow in his footsteps and welcome each other into our lives with kindness and respect.
The early Christians in the New Testament were remarkable examples of this kind of love. They warmly welcomed people into their homes and shared everything they had with each other. They also made sure that the poor and the sick were taken care of while showing extraordinary kindness to even those who were complete strangers.
As believers in Christ, it is our duty to imitate their love by welcoming one another into our lives with open arms. We will be able to achieve this by actively reaching out to people around us, showing them kindness and compassion regardless of any differences that may exist between us.
As Christians, we are called to love one another as Christ has loved us. Welcoming one another is an expression of that love. Here are five Bible verses that focus on welcoming one another.
Romans 15:7
“Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.”
1 Peter 4:9
“Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.”
Galatians 6:10
“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”
James 2:1-4
“My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, ‘Here’s a good seat for you,’ but say to the poor man, ‘You stand there’ or ‘Sit on the floor by my feet,’ have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?”
Ephesians 4:2-3
“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”
Welcoming Strangers
The Bible teaches us to welcome strangers into our homes and lives. Abraham welcomed three strangers into his home and took care of them with food and shelter. Early Christians also showed hospitality by welcoming strangers into their homes.
As Christians, we must follow this example too by welcoming those who are new to our community or who are different from us, treating them with kindness and respect. We can also take care of others’ needs by providing food, shelter, and other essentials.
Welcoming strangers is a great way to express Christ’s love towards others and share the Good News with those who may not know Him.
Leviticus 19:33-34
“When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the Lord your God.”
Hebrews 13:1-2
“Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.”
Matthew 25:38-40
“When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'”
Romans 12:13
“Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.”
Acts 16:14-15
“One of those listening was a woman from the city of Thyatira named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message. When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home. ‘If you consider me a believer in the Lord,’ she said, ‘come and stay at my house.’ And she persuaded us.”
Welcoming Children
Jesus welcomed children when he was alive and even told His disciples to do the same. He said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these” (Matthew 19:14).
As Christians, we need to follow this example by welcoming children into our lives and treating them with love and respect. We can provide them with a safe place that nurtures them while teaching them about the love of God and guiding their faith.
One way we can show our love for children is by caring for those who are in need such as orphans and those living in poverty. We possess an opportunity to make a difference in their lives by welcoming children into our lives, showing them the love of Christ. By doing so, we can help them grow into strong faithful followers of Jesus Christ whom they adore.
Mark 10:13-16
“People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.’ And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.”
Matthew 18:5
“And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.”
Luke 18:15-17
“People were also bringing babies to Jesus for him to place his hands on them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them. But Jesus called the children to him and said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.'”
Ephesians 6:4
“Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.”
Proverbs 22:6
“Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.”
Also Read: 25 Bible Verses About Feeling Lost (With Commentary)
Welcoming as Christ Welcomed
As Christians, it’s our duty to follow the footsteps of Jesus Christ and display love, kindness, and respect to everyone around us.
We can achieve this purpose by reaching out to those who are less privileged in society. Among this group includes the poor, the ailing, and those who have been treated unjustly. We can also show hospitality by welcoming strangers into our homes with an open heart.
When we demonstrate kindness and embrace others as Christ welcomed us, we reflect God’s love to humanity. By so doing, we get to share the gospel of Christ with people who have not yet heard about Him. We can impact people’s lives positively and also play a role in establishing the physical kingdom of God on Earth.
Moreover, it’s essential that we welcome people from different cultures and backgrounds (including those who differ in beliefs) with love and respect. Doing so bridges any gap or misunderstanding that may exist between us. We learn from each other, grow our faiths and together form a bond that unifies all humankind.
In essence, welcoming others gives us an opportunity to share God’s love while making a positive difference in society, just like Christ did during His time on earth.
John 13:34-35
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
Philippians 2:3-4
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”
Colossians 3:12-14
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”
John 15:12-13
“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
Romans 12:9-10
“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.”
Final Thoughts
As followers of Christ, we have been tasked with inviting Him into our hearts and lives. Additionally, we are expected to embrace others in our communities and homes. These actions can be achieved by studying and mimicking the hospitable patterns set forth in the Bible, while remaining respectful and loving to those in our surroundings.
When we welcome others into our lives, we open up the opportunity to share God’s love with them, which serves as a positive impact on this world. It also allows us to learn from those who differ from us so that we may evolve in our personal faith.
Our goal is to welcome individuals into our lives while demonstrating Christ’s love so that we may shine like a beacon of hope when there is darkness and provide comfort to those who need it most.