Today's readings are Psalm 47.1-7, Joshua 6.6-27, and Acts 10.18-33.
Our culture often tells us that the Church is not interested in "outsiders" any more than Israel was interested in foreigners. That's fine with me, but I'd like our culture to know how interested Israel was in foreigners. In today's readings we see that Rahab, a prostitute and dweller in Jericho, the city destined for destruction, was welcomed, with her family, into the people of Israel. Rahab is not the first or the last foreigner to join with God's people, Israel, in the covenant He provided for them. Israel was consistently interested in bringing outsiders in, sharing the grace of God with all who would believe.
The Church is no less interested in "outsiders." Did Jesus not come to seek and to save the lost? See how Peter is sent to bring the Gospel to the house of Cornelius. See how Jesus was called a friend of sinners. And realize that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us, the just for the unjust, to bring us to God. Yes, the Church is interested in these "outsiders" just like Israel was interested in foreigners. May the Lord bring us as many as he will so we can share this glorious Gospel with all nations.
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