Whenever Elisha was in the neighbourhood, she noticed. After a while from noticing, she’d invite him in to have something eat. Then eventually she persuaded her husband to make some renovations to ensure that whenever Elisha was around there was a place for him to rest and be refreshed. She really looked after him.
When Paul was in the neighbourhood, the saints noticed. They went out of their way to look after his physical needs and even though they didn’t have much, he felt their love for him in very practical terms. Indeed when he went elsewhere, they would still offer support to him with whatever they could.. They really looked after him.
That aspect was not designed to be something that would be reserved for prophets and apostles.
Always be eager to practice hospitality.
Romans 12:13
Hospitality is a great hallmark of those who follow Jesus. It’s a great mark for them to show hospitality because they are already the recipients of splendid heavenly hospitality. Lost, alone, confused, ignorant and despised ,we were taken from the world of darkness and despair into a marvellous Kingdom of light noted for brotherly affection, kindness, goodness, forgiveness, mercy, peace and love. The Father in His grace took us in, cleaned us up, restored us, clothed us, celebrated over us, fed us and gave us a significant position in the family business. To say He really looked after us – and continues to do so – is a candidate for the greatest understatement of all time.
Yet it’s almost as if that goes out of the window when it comes to making a practice of it. The excuses are numerous, from supposed ‘caution’ needing to be shown, to talking about how our cultural upbringing doesn’t practice those things, to personality issues and confidence preventing hospitality. These are remarkable acts of defiance in the light of all that we acknowledge we enjoy in Christ.
It’s this call for hospitality that leads to Christian communities noted for their concern and active response to peoples in all sorts of predicaments requiring the hospitality. There’s the courtesy extended to fellow believers helping them feel at home wherever they go. That desire to ensure that they are comfortable and taken care of wherever they may be.
It goes further though. Whether it’s the sick, imprisoned, orphaned, alienated from society for all kinds of reasons – it’s been the Christian communities that have responded with care, with provision, with an extended hand and heart to help, to come alongside, to heal, support, encourage and embrace. Why is this common in the heart of the Christian communities? Because it’s their experience with the Saviour.
It’s because of that experience with the Saviour that marks them out for their hospitality.
This is a mark of a true Christian in true Christian community.
(This blog series was inspired by the Christian meditation on The Marks of a True Christian from the Encounter podcast.)
(Photo by Jen Theodore on Unsplash)
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
Life With CD 