Hospitality

A friend stopped over this morning to give me a picture that she found.
It was a picture she took of my youngest daughter…eleven years ago.
There was the same face…the same dimples…the beautiful smile.
A moment frozen in time.

We sent each other a text later in the day.
I told her that I enjoyed our lovely impromptu morning.
The best kind…I said.

When two friends can talk about everything and nothing.
When you look at the clock and notice that an hour and a half has gone by.
When you realize that your plans that seemed so important…were terribly overrated.

Hospitality.
In Jesus’ day…in Jewish culture…hospitality was held in high regard.
It was mandatory.

Then Jesus went around teaching  from village to village. Calling the Twelve to Him, He sent them out two by two and gave them authority over evil spirits. These were His instructions: Take nothing for the journey except a staff – no bread, no bag, no money in your belts. Wear sandals but not an extra tunic. Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you leave that town. And if any place will not welcome you or listen to you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave, as a testimony against them. (Mark 6:6-11)

When Jesus sent out the Twelve, the first time, He knew they would be taken care of.
They could rely on Jewish hospitality.
They would be fed and given a place to sleep.
Hospitality was a vital part of the culture.

It was much different when the Twelve were sent out another time.

Then Jesus asked them, “When I sent you without purse, bag or sandals, did you lack anything?”
“Nothing,” they answered.
He said to them, “But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag, and if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one.” (Luke 22:35, 36)

There is one huge difference between the two incidents.

The first time the Twelve were sent out, they were sent to minister to the Jews.
Jesus knew they could rely on Jewish hospitality.

The second time the Twelve were sent out, they were sent among the Gentiles.
They went to Gentile inns, which were dangerous places.
Hospitality was not practiced…it was not part of the culture.

When we think of hospitality, we think of delicious meals, dinner guests, opening your home to others, providing a cozy guest room.
We may think of the correct fork, the appropriate glass, the salad plate, fine linens.
There is a time and place for all of that.

We forget that hospitality can simply be having a cup of tea in mismatched mugs.
Serving grilled cheese on paper plates.
Giving a glass of cold water.

Nothing fancy.
Just a simple sharing of our heart and our time…one to another.

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.
(1 Peter 4:8-10)

Hospitality is giving time and attention to another.
It can be intentional and purposeful.
It can be impromptu and accidental.

Having loved His own who were in the world, He now showed them the full extent of His love…He got up from the meal, took off His outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around His waist. After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash His disciples feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around Him. (John 13:1,4,5)

The full extent of Jesus’ love was service…hospitality.
The washing of the feet was usually done by the servant in the house.
It was done in order to wash off the dust that accumulated from their travels.

We tend to worry about the presentation of our hospitality.
When really, all Jesus cares about is the heart of our hospitality.

We should not let the little things keep us from hospitality.
If we are not careful, we can always find excuses not to be hospitable.
We have to watch ourselves…there is no perfect time or setting to serve.
If there is a need, we need to meet it as best we can.

Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.
(John 13:14,15)

Humble service…the full extent of our love.
Could it be that simple?

 

 

 

 

2 responses to “Hospitality”

1. I loved what you said about hospitality, and it reminded me of how much I cherished your hospitality which gave us time to chat about kids and about life so many years ago. Blessings to you.

   Reply

   • JCF
     I wouldn’t have traded those talks…and that time together as mothers and friends…for anything.
     Gina

     Reply