Jesus and Hospitality-1

Flock of sheep at a village in Turkey

Just imagine! Jesus was criticized by his enemies for being "a friend of sinners". His opponents said. "This teacher is spending too much time with society's riff-raff!"

It's instructive to observe when and how Jesus received hospitality. He often shared a meal with poor people, or villagers. He received invitations to stay in someone's home.

Much of Jesus' ministry was centered around the local synagogue He loved open spaces on hills or at the lake shore. He entered the homes of people and taught them.

Jesus usually spent the first hours of the day alone, walking by himself over hills outside of towns. Then, after prayers, he was ready to teach his disciples; during the day he gave himself unreservedly to common people. Mark records his activities: "That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon possessed. The whole town gathered at the door!" (2:32-34) Having Jesus come to your door probably meant having too many people in,, around and on top of your home!

Village children in North West India

He then instructed his disciples to go two by two into nearby towns and villages. They were to wait for an invitation and then enjoy the hospitality.

Village hospitality then is much the same as today in the Middle Eastern, or Africa or Asia. People gave (they still give) warm greetings. Food was (it still is) loaded onto the table. The next day, the disciples went to the next village. If people were ill in the home, they would (they still do) pray for the sick. They would (they still do) cast out demons.

Jesus taught us to expect hospitality and to give back just as we receive. His disciples are to bless people in their homes. 

Two contrasting events are instructive on what this means: "giving back".

Jesus had good friends: Lazarus, Mary and Martha. When he was with them, Mary was more interested in receiving what Jesus had to teach the family. Martha was more interested in what she had to give Jesus. We learn that mending relationships, enjoying conversation, teaching others and learning gratefully moved Jesus more than perfectly cooked food. He wasn't so concerned about how the table set or the wine was served. Surely that helps us today to focus more on our guests than on all the details around the house.

Wheat harvest at a village in North West India

A second event also moves me deeply. A woman in Bethany came to the home of Simon the Leper. Jesus in the home of a leper? ! ? Yes, because he would never turn away from a needy person. Simon had been a leper, most likely - healed by Jesus. And at that home a woman took an alabaster jar of expensive perfume, perhaps costing years of the salary of a working man. She anointed Jesus' feet with this perfume. This wonderful woman continues to pass through history as having done a beautiful thing.

Her act of sacrificial giving is known throughout the world. This generous act stands in contrast to the greedy grasping of Judas, who was stealing from the money bag. A greedy man met his unfortunate end, while a previously unknown woman blessed Jesus. That woman became famous throughout the world, and for all time.

Thinking about this: What do I understand by hospitality? How do I show, or how have I shown, hospitality? When I'm in someone else's home, do I expect that to be a moment of harvest for the kingdom, a time when God does his work of bringing people into, or enriching his Kingdom?