Biblical Hospitality
Amy K
Hopefully, everyone has had the experience of being hosted, and not just entertained in someone’s home. Actually feeling the love and warmth of a gathering with others that care about you. Perhaps they make a delicious meal for you and have a lovely dinner table adorned and prepared for good food and more importantly good fellowship. But what really makes a dinner go from entertaining to hosting is the heart behind it.
Recently, I went to a salsa making demonstration which centered around Biblical Hospitality. It sparked an interest in studying and learning more about what the Bible says about Hospitality and moving my heart in alignment to our heavenly Fathers in this area of my Christian walk.
Americans are facing a “loneliness epidemic”. A 2023 Harvard study shows that between 18-64 year olds 20% or more people struggle with loneliness. In the study, they link anywhere from technology to mental health as causes. One very interesting conclusion was that loneliness was caused by: “No religious or spiritual life, too much focus on one’s own feelings, and the changing nature of work — with more remote and hybrid schedules — were perceived causes of loneliness selected by around 50% of people who participated in the survey.”
We know that God is a God of connection. He shows us that in His relationship within the Trinity. He shows us this in His desire to be in relationship with us. He shows us this by how He has given His Word to guide us to how best to be in relationship with one another. One way we are given in the Word to have a relationship with one another is through hospitality. The Greek word for Hospitality is Philoxenia which means “love of strangers”.
Hebrews 13:2 “Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing so some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.” And we see that example in the Old Testament with Abraham and Sarah entertaining angels without knowing.
In the New Testament, hospitality is a requirement of those who are leaders in the church. 1 Timothy 3:2 and Titus 1:8 use the term “hospitable” in the list of these requirements. Christ gave us the ultimate teachings on how to treat even the “least” among us, a direct reflection to how we treat Him. Matthew 25:35 “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in.”
In the hurried pace of our lives, we many times think that we do not have time, to perfectly set a table, or prepare an elaborate meal, or even to get our house presentable for someone. Hospitality is others centered, while entertaining is focused on us. I think we can all relate to the very different feeling of going into one's home where the focus was and stayed on the host. The things they have, the meals they make and the entertainment they provide. But Hospitality, Biblical hospitality is a heart that seeks to put the focus on our guests. To make them feel loved, cared about and interested in.
There is no better story to show the stark contrast between Mary and Martha in Luke 10:38-42. Martha opens her home up to Jesus and while she is busy preparing the meal and getting everything just right, her sister sits at Jesus’s feet. The imagery here is almost like that of a beloved pet, just delighting to be in the presence of their owner and to await one glance, or praise or pet from them.
Martha quickly shows her heart of bitterness toward her sister as she complains to Jesus that her sister is of no help. “Don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” What is our heart posture toward hosting? Do we become snappy with those around us as we prepare the meal, but our focus is on how others may view us if everything is not done perfectly?
Lovingly, the Lord rebukes her, “Martha, Martha…you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better.” Few things are needed or indeed only one. Jesus does not mince words. He does not praise Martha’s efforts while also praising Mary. He sets a line in the sand and says “Mary has chosen what is better.” Mary chose presence, connection, undivided attention.
If we are to be a reflection of Christ to others, let this transform how we love others when allowing them to enter into our home. Let us put the attention onto them, shower them with Christ’s love. Still, Martha does play a necessary role in hosting. But her grumbling spirit does not go with the silverware and fine linens.
Reflection:
In your Day: What can you let go of this week to make more room in your day for prayer?
In your Month: How can you be hospitable this month with neighbors or church members that you do not know?
In your Year: How can you be prayerful in allowing God to mold your heart to be more hospitable to others to be a better reflection of Christ?