By: Jeffrey T. Jo
Scripture Reading: Hebrews 11:25-12:3
Someone said that “hospitality is not about entertaining, but it is engaging.” Our passage commands us to exercise hospitality, not only for friends or fellow believers but also for strangers (see Leviticus 19;34). This has been God’s command even in Old Testament days and He has been consistent on this because He is the unchanging God. In the New Testament, we are commanded to practice, seek and always to find ways in expressing hospitality (Romans 12:13), indeed evidence of having a genuine relationship with God.
Throughout the saga of history, God consistently initiates relationship. He is a gracious host, constantly welcoming in wayward sinners who deserve His wrath—a people whose only hope is that He would show them underserved hospitality. Any time we practice hospitality we follow in the steps of our lavishly hospitable God. God has always been forming a hospitable people to put His hospitality on display, and if you are in Christ, you’re now a part of God’s hospitable people.
What are the results of being hospitable?
1) God is pleased.
2) We display the gospel or goodness of God to others.
3) A possible angelic visitation.
Let our lives or our homes to be micro representations of that final banquet table—places where believers gather around the food and drink God has graciously provided, celebrating that God has brought us to Himself and opened that sacred space to all who are far from Him. Let’s become relentlessly warm and welcoming because we’ve been relentlessly welcomed in Christ.
