August 16, 2025 -- Hebrews 13:2a -- Christianity and hospitality

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers… Hebrews 13:2a ESV
 
Hospitality. Too often Christians think hosting potlucks among themselves is the hospitality which is in view. Though the Bible names one of the qualifications of an elder as one who shows hospitality (Titus 1:8), I am quite sure many Christian elders and pastors and deacons have not regularly shown hospitality as it is described in the Bible. Read what Bouma-Prediger and Walsh write on hospitality and homelessness.
In the New Testament, Jesus exercised hospitality to a most unlikely band of outcasts, rejects, and misfits. Indeed, “Christianity continues and intensifies the call to practice hospitality to the needy stranger, for Christ is present in the impoverished alien and hospitality to the poor is required of all who would enter the Reign of God.” The parable of the sheep and the goats is perhaps the most famous text in this regard. When the righteous ask the king when it was that they saw him a stranger and welcomed him, the king replies, “Just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me” (Matt. 25:40). Whenever we care for the needy, we show hospitality to Christ himself. Throughout the New Testament we find similar stories and admonitions concerning hospitality, especially to be practiced towards the most vulnerable…So important is hospitality to the Christian life, Smith and Carvill conclude, that “that practice of hospitality lies close to the center of a Christian’s life before God.”
Steven Bouma-Prediger & Brian Walsh Beyond Homelessness. Grand Rapids: Wm B. Eerdmans, 2008, page 301
 
How do Christians even encounter such strangers to be welcomed? Those who are in Christ are always, actively engaged in evangelism. When believers go and witness, they meet people who are in desperate need, people who are outcasts, people who are vulnerable, people who are hated. It is when Christians shift the focus from visiting only among themselves and consciously welcome strangers—newcomers to church, folks they’ve met while volunteering, neighbours who are new to the area, work mates who are not Christians but need to be exposed to Christ—their home become a place of which Jesus declares, inasmuch as you have welcomed the least of these my brothers, you have welcomed Me. Life in Christ is not safe, it is pouring out one’s life as a drinking offering to God. Spending oneself in service. It is costly to serve Jesus. Almost a year ago now, a new convert, Greg, who is in prison declared, “my relationship with Jesus is the hardest relationship I’ve ever had, but it is the most worthwhile”.
 
Faithful Father, thank You, that while we were yet sinners, You pursued us. You welcomed us. Christ died for us. Lord Jesus, Captain of Salvation, by Your Spirit, lead us to men and women who are in urgent need of true and deep fellowship, warm hospitality, kindness, so that by our hospitality their hearts will be melted by Your love, Your grace, Your kindness shown through us; who have been ourselves won to You by men and women whom You’ve appointed to find us and welcome us.
Blessed are You, Father of Mercies!
Blessed are You, Jesus, the Captain of Salvation, Shepherd of the needy.
Blessed are You, Spirit of grace, Who seals in believers all the benefits of Jesus.
Gracious God, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.
 
https://youtu.be/jX3T5sL0pzY?si=_KEKjCeKukSzaifW Jesu, Jesu, Fill Us with Your Love
 

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