‘You’re In’
I recently watched the progressive metal band Tesseract (UK) perform live in Perth with some friends and former bandmates. The level of musicianship and passion was incredible. After the show, my friends and I huddled together against the chill of midnight’s approach, trading our various gig highlights. Suddenly, another man burst into our group. His fluorescent pink hair and glinting nose ring matched his palpable delight as he greeted my friends with big hugs. He noticed that I was also part of the gang, shrugged, and said, “I’m gonna give you a hug too!” which he did with similar enthusiasm. That surprising and gracious gesture said, ‘You’re in.’ He had completed the loop of connection. My new friends’ spontaneous logic was simple; ‘Because you are friends with my friends, you are also my friend.’ He accepted me before he knew my name or my story. An economy of instant friendship can exist between strangers because of our shared friends and passions.
There was so much to love about this interaction, and I spent the drive home pondering the experience and how valued his simple gesture made me feel.
Oh, that the Church would be known in society as a place that says ‘you’re in.’ A place where newcomers are met with enthusiasm by the community of believers; ‘Because you are interested in my friend Jesus, you are also my friend.’
A place where believers from around the world would find a home away from home; ‘Because you are friends with my friend Jesus, you are my friend.’ Jesus’ desire for this is voiced in John 13:35, ‘By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
That followers of Jesus would interact with anyone, anywhere, anytime, and the stranger would come away feeling valued. ‘Because you are made in the image of my Maker, you are my friend.’
The mainstream espouses the inclusion of diversity as long as it aligns with the ‘correct’ political, lifestyle, national and religious line. Despite scripture calling for unity (Ephesians 4:3), the Church has not escaped this cultural influence.
How can we take ‘you’re in’ to a deeper transformative place within us that reflects the reality of Jesus’ invitation to the world? Perhaps it’s through prayers that stretch us.
‘Lord, we thank you for the Palestinians and the Israelis who are working together in Gaza to meet the needs of the victims of war. You love them dearly. Be with them in this dark hour; please provide for their daily needs and move us to meet them generously. Please bless (insert your enemy here), and may they know they too are welcomed into your kingdom by what your life, death on the cross and resurrection accomplished.’
When Jesus announced his kingdom reign had begun (Mark 1:15), he set in motion a trajectory that will reach its ultimate fulfilment seen by the presence in eternity of every nation, tribe, people and language (Revelation 7:9). In Jesus’ lifetime it included the Jews, Samaritans, tax collectors, sinners, prostitutes, the sick and the thief dying on the cross next to Him. This trajectory underpins the ‘you’re in’ mindset, through which the Church can again show the world a beautiful alternative way to live. It is the foretaste of God’s eternal kingdom where there is no more death, mourning, crying or pain because the old order has passed (Revelation 21:4).
My new friend is onto something extraordinary that the body of Christ needs to reclaim. I wonder what needs to shift in our hearts and Churches to enable this.