Saturday, July 7, 2012
The skit was hilarious, the drama team convincing.
The self-appointed welcoming committee of one arrived
carrying a large rolled-up rug, which she claimed to have made herself for the
occasion. Unfurled, it said “Welcome” in
big white letters on a black background.
She shooed away the greeter, who was clad in khaki shorts and a red
plaid shirt.
Several people approached. One tall fellow looked rather grungy. She sent him away, scolding him for stepping
on her welcome rug. Saying, “no children
allowed!” she turned away a woman pushing a baby stroller. The smartly dressed young couple she greeted
enthusiastically until she found out they were not married, just friends, and
sent them scurrying off.
Then, suddenly, she fell to the floor, lying flat on her
welcome rug. She was paralyzed. The original greeter bent low, concerned for
the woman who now called piteously for help.
The group of undesirables she had sent off gathered around her and picked
her up, using the rug to take her to Jesus. They set her down, and Jesus—portrayed by a
casually dressed young woman wearing a baseball cap backwards on her head--approached
her, extended her hand, and helped the woman up.
As she rose, the once self-righteous judger of persons
was transformed. She approached each of
the people she had turned away, greeting them warmly and escorting them to the
welcome rug.
My written account lacks the impact of the drama. It was sadly hilarious in its caricature of
the ways Christians often turn away the very people we are called to love. It was moving to see those who had been
turned away joining together to help the one who had just rejected them. It was powerful to see a life changed by
God’s grace, true hospitality replacing rigid rejection of people of whom
she did not approve.
I was moved to tears.
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