The modern world has many differences from the first century, but one of most extreme differences is the concept of hospitality. In our world, hospitality is an industry. For business people, vacationers, or pilgrims, there is a vast network of hotels and restaurants to care for the needs of the weary traveler. For very sick or injured people, there are modern hospitals (the world hospital comes from the world hospitality, but we rarely make that connection today).
Yet despite the widespread availability of these institutions, not everyone can access them. Even though I am hardly a poor person, there are some hotels, for example, that are so expensive I could hardly justify the cost of staying there. Some are so extravagant that I could not even afford them if I wanted to stay there. And for the poor person, how much more limited might their choices be? Or, consider the case of hospitals. In principle, they are open to everyone, but the reality is that many people, even in our affluent country, cannot afford the cost of medical care in these institutions. In almost every hotel or hospital, despite our insistence that all Americans are equal, a person with a lot of resources (money, connections, power) can obtain significantly better care than can someone of moderate or poor means.
Which is a lot like the first century Greco-Roman world. In that world, you extended hospitality to someone who could repay, either by reciprocating with meals or shelter, or by exerting their power or influence on your behalf. Patrons hosted their clients as one way of showing their “generosity” and power. Ambitious hosts would invite people of wealth and power to their homes trying to get a toehold on the social ladder. Does this seem consistent with biblical values?
Enter Jesus. He presents a view of hospitality that is more in keeping with the notion of Jewish hospitality. The outsider, the pilgrim, the poverty-stricken, the widow, and the orphan are to be cared for and not allowed to be destitute. Hear the words of Jesus about hospitality:
He said also to the one who had invited him, "When you give a luncheon or a dinner,
do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors,
in case they may invite you in return, and you would be repaid.
But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind.
And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you,
for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous."
Luke 14:12-14 - NRSV
Jesus turns the Greco-Roman and the American world views on their heads. Christian hospitality is shown to those need resources, not those who already have them in abundance. Food, shelter, and clothing are available to everyone, regardless of social, economic, or political standing. Hospitality is for the poor and the powerless.
In our world, who are the weak, the marginalized and the poor? In my book, children are at the top of that list.
Do we see our work as hospitality? Hospitality is probably not a word that we would normally use, but biblical hospitality is precisely what Westview is all about.
As we begin our week, let's spend our devotional time thinking about about the concept of hospitality and how it applies to our ministry. What insight does this notion bring to our thinking and to our practices?
Blessings,
Ron
