After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod,

Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”

Matthew 2:1-2

At Poverello House, we serve the hungry, homeless and hurting. For nearly 50 years, our campus has been a place of hope for those that do not have anywhere else to turn. It does not matter where someone is from, their language, their look or their struggles; Poverello House is there to serve them with the love of Christ. We offer hope without condition “…for all who pass our way.”

Matthew represents the Magi as not only Gentiles, but outsiders. They had traveled a long way to worship the “King of the Jews.” Imagine how they must have looked arriving in Jerusalem! They were probably dirty, wearing unique clothes and not looking like they belonged. Not only that, but they were saying that a star in the sky was the sign of a newborn king. As they asked around, I am sure they got a lot of interesting looks from the Jews in Jerusalem!

Jesus came as unconditional hope for all people from all places. Unfortunately, much like the Jewish religious leaders of the time, we put conditions on this hope. Sometimes it seems that someone has to clean up their life, be mentally healthy, have the right look and fit within a defined box of who can receive this hope. The “King of the Jews” was hope for the Magi. May we never forget that we too were once outsiders, were in desperate search of the hope of the Gospel, and once were drawn to a Savior who welcomed us despite the wretched condition by which we arrived to worship him.

Jesus, thank you for offering the hope of salvation to me regardless of my condition. Help me to be a conduit of your unconditional hope to the world.