Hospitality in Biblical times was a sign of being civilized. For the Greeks it had religious significance since Zeus was the god of hospitality. For the Egyptians it helped secure a place in the future life. In general hospitality was a necessary obligation to avoid violence. There was an actual “hospitality code” that included initial invitation, screening, provision with protection and departure. A stranger presented themselves at the public gate or city well and waited for someone to offer hospitality. Screening could include asking them questions or having them display their ability in their craft as the Apostle Paul was asked to speak. Once the stranger was invited the host provided his best meal, entertainment and protection. At departure the strangers were also provided with food and water for the journey. Hospitality offered protection, warmth and friendliness to strangers and aliens. It was a necessary art in the days of no Holiday Inns.
Hospitality was practiced in the New Testament as people opened their hearts and homes to Jesus and his ministry. Mary and Martha are prime examples. Without hospitality the missionary journeys of Paul would have been impossible. He blazed new trails and started new churches as people opened their homes to this stranger.
Traveling on a journey necessitated hospitality in the first place. Abraham would have starved and died without it on his way to Canaan. Jesus would have been out in the cold and the new church would have died in the streets of Jerusalem if Christians had not practiced hospitality
Today, hospitality seems to be a lost art. Our homes are our private castle. We retreat to our homes hoping to find relief and safety after a hectic day of work filled with rejections of offers, rude customers, road rage, and unrealistic demands. Why would we want to invite anyone into our safe comfortable home and take a chance of our privacy being invaded? Why would anyone want to leave their home?
Romans 12: 13 tells us to “Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.” Hebrews 13:2 “Keep on loving each other as brothers. Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.” Was this just for those times?
I Peter 4:7-10 tells us, “The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.” The importance of hospitality is wrapped up in a mandate for the end of times. Is this a Biblical mandate for the art of hospitality today?
Can we not share with those in need without inviting them into our homes? Can’t we just take strangers out to lunch at McDonalds or Golden Corral and play it safe? What’s the big deal? It’s not like the world is a dangerous place or something is it? We sit with these strangers in church? What more do you want, Lord?
Our Christian life is a journey and we desperately need to take in “strangers’’ in the faith. It's a jungle out there, you know. They need a friendly, warm face to welcome them into the family of grace. They need the Word to feed their souls – the Word that you have already learned and applied into your life and are living -- it's easy to receive and digest – it’s your best. Like Lazarus after being raised from the dead, their grave cloths of death can only be removed with your help. Food and water for the journey is a necessity for the disciple.
But who will entertain these strangers? Who will open their hearts and homes to share a meal – to share the life of Christ – a prayer – a word of encouragement and support for the journey?
Hospitality is more than a need – it’s a must. The shared home and meal is a sign of civilization – love and obedience to Christ. It’s a basic art that has been lost among all the progress of civilization. It’s the missing element that will fuel life and breath into the dying body of Christ. Strangers are standing at the gate? What will we do? Think about the alternatives -- "'where everybody knows their name."' How will we respond?
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