Hospitality

The Son of Man came...? How would you end that sentence?

If you answered to "seek and save the lost" (Luke 19:10)or "to serve" (Mark 10:45), then well done you 👏 Both of those are not only correct, they are also statements of why he came. But what about how he came? That's the third of "the Son of Man came..." statements. It's found in Luke 7:34; "the Son of Man came eating and drinking".

Luke’s Gospel is full of stories of Jesus eating with people:

In Luke 5 Jesus eats with tax collectors and sinners at the home of Levi
In Luke 7 Jesus is anointed at the home of Simon the Pharisee during a meal.
In Luke 9 Jesus feeds the five thousand.
In Luke 10 Jesus eats in the home of Martha and Mary
In Luke 11 Jesus condemns the Pharisees and teachers of the law at a meal.
In Luke 14 Jesus is at a meal when he urges people to invite the poor to their meals rather than their friends.
In Luke 19 Jesus invites himself to dinner with Zacchaeus.
In Luke 22 we have the account of the Last Supper.
In Luke 24 the risen Christ has a meal with the two disciples in Emmaus, and then later eats fish with the disciples in Jerusalem.

In Luke’s Gospel Jesus is either going to a meal, at a meal, or coming from a meal.

- Robert Karris

As we look at the rest of the New Testament we see how important the practice of hospitality was in fulfilling the mission of Jesus, to seek and save the lost, and to serve others.

The Jerusalem church was clearly in and out of each other’s homes, and as a result enjoyed a pervading spirit of togetherness, sincerity, and community, and that with a community of multiple thousands! Lydia's hospitality catalysed the Philippi church plant (Acts 16). Peter says we should practice hospitality without grumbling (1 Pet 4:8) and Paul said we should be given to hospitality (Rom 12:12).

What is Biblical Hospitality?

When our culture talks about having people over, they often use the language of entertainment: “I like entertaining,” or “Here are some tips on entertaining.” Christian hospitality, however, is not entertaining. It is not the addition of some religion to entertaining. Hospitality has totally different motives, means, and ends, largely because it is not about us.

Biblical hospitality is about honoring God by obeying His command to “contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality” (Rom. 12:13). It is about loving other Christians. When hospitality does become about the giver, it ceases to be Christian.

One of the distinctives of Christian hospitality is the guests. We extend invitations to strangers as well as friends, seeking not only to deepen fellowship, but also to draw people into the light of Christian community (Heb. 13:2; 1 Peter 4:9). We extend invitations to people who are unable to reciprocate, either because of their living situation, hard financial position, family issue, or physical condition (Luke 14:13). Hospitality is part of giving, expecting nothing in return from the people who receive the sacrifice of our service.

- Rebecca VanDoodewaard

Heart Hospitality

Hospitality is less what you do and more how you do it. Hospitality is words, actions, and attitudes that make others feel cared for and "at home". Be interested in people. Listen well, learn names, ask people their stories, get to know people, and follow up initial conversations at a later date.

Home Hospitality

Getting people into your home is powerful. Consider, what are you good at? Do you enjoy cooking? Or do you prefer coffee and a chat, or games evenings, or...? Fill in the blanks and start practicing it!

Who can you invite? If you've never hosted someone in your home before, maybe start by offering to host one of your Community gatherings.

Consider inviting new people, not just old friends (there's nothing wrong with inviting old friends of course, but look for ways of making new ones!)

Equity & Inclusion in our Hospitality

We love this from Lauralyn Vasquez;

Equality vs. equity.

Equality: Two things that are the same or have a similar value. When we treat two people or two groups of people the same, we make sure they have or get the same things.

Equity: Giving everyone what they need to be successful; it is NOT giving everyone the exact same thing. If we give everyone the exact same thing, expecting that this will make people equal, it assumes that everyone started out at the same place.

Equality is giving everyone a shoe. Equity is giving everyone a shoe that fits.

With equity-based hospitality we are drawing the circle wide in a posture of embracing. In this hospitable space, we bravely, intentionally work towards the vision of an intergenerational, multicultural, multiracial future freed from racism, sexism, and ableism. This is a future where systems of oppression can be dismantled and transformed, where people with disabilities can belong and serve, and where the gifts and influence of women and men of all ages, stages, and cultural backgrounds are fully included in the life of the church and beyond.

Some tips;

Set your intention to be diverse. Consider who you are. Who can you reach out to who is different?
Be humble. Be ready to learn. Be ok with making mistakes and cultural faux pas. Commit to growing in cultural intelligence.
Talk with people who are different from you.
Be open to change. Unity does not mean conformity. It's about learning to draw the circle wide.

Questions to consider

Eating is something that we do several times every day, perhaps without thinking much at all. But Scripture commands us, “Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Cor. 10:31). Even our eating and drinking is to be done, not mindlessly or as a mundane routine, but rather to the glory of God – with intentional thankfulness, prayer, love, and moderation. How does that sort of purposefulness differ from how eating tends to occur in your life?
We often think of hospitality as merely “inviting someone over for dinner.” But more broadly, hospitality means opening our homes and lives to others. In what ways could your life be more open to others?
When the rhythms of our life become about us, we fall into consumerism (pursuing our own wants and needs). How does consumerism affect how you use your home, your food, your time, your skills, and your budget? As you prayerfully look back over your list, what deeper issues of idolatry, unbelief, and selfishness do you discern?
List some of the hindrances that keep you from regularly practicing hospitality.
How might some of the things on your list (schedule conflicts, busyness, etc.) be remedied if you were more intentional and proactive?
How can you make a habit of practicing hospitality?

Further Resources, Ideas & Articles to check out

We can make community and mission sound like specialized activities that belong to experts. Some people have a vested interest in doing this, because it makes them feel “extraordinary.” Or we focus on dynamic personalities who can hold an audience and lead a movement. Some push mission beyond the scope of “ordinary” Christians. But the Son of Man came eating and drinking. It’s not complicated. True, it’s not always easy—it involves people invading your space or going to places where you don’t feel comfortable. But it’s not complicated. If you share a meal three or four times a week and you have a passion for Jesus, then you will be building up the Christian community and reaching out in mission.

- Tim Chester

Photo by Meg Boulden on Unsplash

Photo by iulian aghei on Unsplash