Romans 16:1-2 NASB95
I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea; [2] that you receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints…
In verse two, the word “receive” comes from two Greek words that carry the idea of “looking for and waiting!” It would have been better translated “eagerly welcome” her in the Lord (in Christ). When you are in union with Christ, you are grafted into His way of thinking, feeling, speaking, and acting. We get to participate in His way of doing life, and therefore, we get to participate in the way He feels about, and treats people. There is nothing more joyful than to be controlled or compelled by the love of Christ.
To receive someone in the Lord – “in Christ” – is to receive them as Jesus would (literally, as Jesus does). Paul was encouraging the Romans to receive Phoebe out of their union with Jesus, and Jesus treats everyone as the most important person who has ever stood in front of Him. By the way, He also listens to them as if what they have to say is the most important thing He has ever heard. This is the life of love that Jesus lives through us, and it is stunningly full of joy and freedom. Have you ever had the “Oh no’s”? The “Oh no’s” are when you see that person approaching you or see their number come up on your phone that makes you think, “Oh no,” it’s them again. Jesus never feels that way about people, no matter how much of a pain your flesh may think they are. Jesus never feels inconvenienced or bothered by people. Obviously, Jesus walked in wisdom, and there were times when He had to be alone with the Father. There were times when He needed to rest, but Jesus never had or has the “Oh no’s.” Of course, there are times when we have to tell someone that we are not able to have a conversation with them because of other obligations, and lovingly, we have to excuse ourselves or are unable to answer the text or the phone call, but that is a matter of wisdom, not an issue of avoiding people because they are a “bother.” This is “The Way” of life that Jesus lives, and it is certainly “other,” but it is also life on the highest plane.