Hospitality - 1 A Revolutionary Power

Pictures from a painting at ROM, Toronto

"Why did Christianity grow when the full power of the Roman Empire was directed with all its strength against this new movement?"

I heard this question  many times when I lived in Turkey. I enjoyed taking visitors to Greco-Roman cities, especially the Seven Churches of the Revelation. Getting away from Europe or North America for two weeks helped sharpen visitors' questions and I welcomed the resulting conversations!

 Because of the teachings of Jesus, because of the example of his compassion and generosity, many early believers opened their homes to their neighbors. "Come and dine with us," a kind neighbor said, and now a whole new set of persons became aware of a better way to live. Consider this: Christians lived with a different set of values. They stuck out in society and their neighbors noticed. Even people with little education could speak about their experiences.

"Come and dine with us!" How different that was from an invitation to the home of a powerful man in society 2,000 years ago. Persons who worked for the state, men and their wives, would spread the table for a wonderful banquet. How great to be invited there! But usually this only reinforced social differences that governed their society. Powerful governors, senators, aristocrats, high priests, civil managers and wealthy business men managed their households and their meals in ways that confirmed the separation of classes. The respected home owner invited a special guest to sit close to him. The least worthy reclined at the place furthest away. Slaves, those without status or dignity, served those who claimed privilege.

Christians believed in another Kingdom and they soon developed different customs. They gathered early on Sunday mornings and drank from the same cup. They called slaves their "brothers and sisters". They greeted one another with a holy kiss. Social divisions dominant in the empire were profoundly challenged when they read Colossians 3:11 "Here there is no Greek or Jew, no circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all."

Let's remember the power of hospitality. In Western life, when we rush from one activity to another, it's all to easy to leave aside the time necessary to get together with other people. Let's remember that no church program, no set responses to give to doubters, no quick "Hi, how are you?" can replace the power of time spent with neighbors in meaningful conversation, communication and worship.