"Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have
entertained angels unawares" (Hebrews 13: 2)
"Given to hospitality" (Romans 12: 13).
In many Churches today in North America ,
hospitality seems to have fallen on hard times. It seems the only time it is
practiced is when some special or popular guest preacher or missionary comes to
a specific local Church. The said speaker is shown hospitality during his stay.
After his time comes to a close at that local Church, he will praise that
Church for their wonderful hand of fellowship and hospitality that was
demonstrated to him. So he leaves with the mistaken notion that specific local
Church is very hospitable to its people. However, the sad truth is most
Churches are not known for their charitable spirit in hospitality. Usually the
rich and influential Christians in a local Church will only show hospitality to
their family and close friends they invite in. Sadly, the poor and despised
Christians in the congregation get left out and forgotten. I believe in a lot
of cases on purpose. Such behaviour does not demonstrate a spirit of Christian
love and fellowship.
Background and
Tradition of Hospitality.
The noted author of Cruden's Complete Concordance has this
to say about the value of hospitality:
"This virtue has always been very
much esteemed by civilized peoples. The Jewish laws with regard to strangers
are framed in accordance with the spirit of hospitality, Lev. 19: 33, 34, etc.;
and before the giving of the law there were many instances of the entertaining
of strangers, Gen. 18: 2, 3; Heb. 13: 2. It was more necessary in those times
of difficult travel and few inns, but the spirit of modern hospitality is the
same. In Apostolic times the virtue was strongly enjoined on the followers of
Christ, although the higher civilization and larger population made it less of
a necessity than in patriarchal times."[1]
Beloved devotional writer William MacDonald had this to say
about the Middle Eastern tradition of hospitality:
"According to Middle Eastern
tradition, a person is responsible for the safety of his guest, even if he
doesn't particularly like him. That explains the expression in Psalm 23: "You prepare a table before me in the
presence of my enemies." The enemies are standing at a distance,
glaring at the guest, but he is safe in the care of the shepherd. It is a
common courtesy not to speak ill of a guest after he has departed, no matter
how he may have behaved."[2]
The Four New
Testament Passages on the Word Hospitality.
Now having said that, what does Scripture say about
hospitality? There are four key verses mentioned with the word "hospitality" in the New
Testament (see Rom. 12: 13; 1 Tim. 3: 2; Titus 1: 8; 1 Pet. 4: 9). Each of
these four Scriptures can be seen in four specific points: (1.) "Given to hospitality," is
seen here in this passage as a means of provision for poor saints, Romans
12: 13; (2.) "Given to
hospitality," is to be demonstrated as one of the practices of Church
leaders, 1 Tim. 3: 2; (3.) "A lover
of hospitality," is the kind of passion that Church leaders should
be known for, Titus 1: 8; then finally (4.) "Use
hospitality," to one another without being peeved at each other, 1 Pet. 4: 9. So we can see from these passages of Scripture
above that two verses is directed towards all saints who have the ability to
provide hospitality to fellow Christians and strangers without partiality, and
two verses are specifically directed towards Church leaders who are to lovingly
practice hospitality to all fellow believers and strangers. However, all these
verses are a blueprint for all Christians in a local congregation to practice
and follow to a measure of their ability for the Lord's honour and glory.
Scriptural Examples
of Hospitality.
I am sure many examples could be cited from the Bible
concerning hospitality. But for brevity sake, I will just quote two examples.
One from the Old Testament and the other from the New Testament. We read of
Abraham's hospitality in Genesis 18: 2-22. First, Abraham saw three men and
went and greeted them (v. 2); second, he invited them to stay (v. 3); thirdly,
he offered them refreshment (vs. 4-5); fourth, he provided for them
sacrificially of his substance (vs. 6-8); then finally, they all communed together
in fellowship (vs. 9-22). Indeed, Abraham "entertained
angels unawares" (Heb. 13: 2). The pre-incarnate Christ and two of His
angels!
Next, we read of two sisters, Martha and Mary who received
the Lord Jesus into their home. Martha invited Jesus and served refreshments,
while Mary sat at Jesus feet and listened to His Word (Luke 10: 38-42). Next,
we read of Jesus life changing visit, when he comforted the hearts of his two
beloved friends, Mary and Martha, when He raised their brother Lazarus from the
grave (John 11: 1-46). Then finally, we see something beautiful, each family
member serving the Lord Jesus in some specific way. Their hospitality refreshed
the Lord in three distinct ways: (1.) Martha refreshed the Lord Jesus by her Work, v. 2; (2.) Lazarus refreshed the
Lord by his Witness, v. 1, 2b, 9;
(3.) and finally, we have Mary refreshing the Lord Jesus with her Worship, v. 3. No wonder the Lord Jesus
Christ frequented their house often, for there he found wonderful friendship, fellowship,
and hospitality.
"Lazarus, Mary, and Martha were good at hospitality.
Theirs was a home in which Jesus loved to be. Every Christian home can be like
that. When we entertain anyone in His name, it's the same as if we were
entertaining Him."[3]
Beware of Showing Partiality
in Hospitality.
In the Parable of the Guest in Luke 14: 7-15, the Lord Jesus
Christ gives this instruction on hospitality. "When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends
or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, otherwise they may also
invite you in return and that will be your repayment. But when you give a
reception, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be
blessed, since they do not have the means to repay you; for you will be repaid at
the resurrection of the righteous" (Luke 14: 12-14, NASB). You can
certainly see the Lord's heart of love shown in these verses above to the
unloved and forgotten, the destitute, the lonely, the disabled, and the poor.
Oh, that we as the people of God would heed these words, and once again recover
the Lost Art of Hospitality!
In entertaining strangers,
You just never know;
The guest just could be an angel,
That receives the kindness you bestow.
In entertaining strangers,
Along life's thorny way;
A lonely and rejected stranger was helped,
Because you cared enough to love and pray.
In entertaining strangers,
The Church could be involved;
If only Christians would be sensitive to God's leading,
Needs could be met, and problems resolved.
In entertaining strangers,
You just never know;
The guest just could be an angel,
That receives the kindness you bestow.
No comments:
Post a Comment