Mark Hamilton thinks that God is an unusual travel agent.
Elijah needs a little time out of town because the stresses of being a prophet have become too much. God gives him directions, and tells him to hurry if he is going to make his connections. Once he has arrived at Kerith Canyon on the far side of the Jordan, he camps out there alongside the brook. The dining arrangements are unique, to say the least. At mealtime, birds bring Elijah’s breakfast, or supper, as he needs them and Elijah drinks from the brook. But, like some hotels that you and I have stayed at overseas, there are water problems so Elijah has to go.
God then gives Elijah the rest of his itinerary. Hear the story:
Then God spoke to him: "Get up and go to Zarephath in Sidon and live there. I've instructed a woman who lives there, a widow, to feed you."
So he got up and went to Zarephath. As he came to the entrance of the village he met a woman, a widow, gathering firewood. He asked her, "Please, would you bring me a little water in a jug? I need a drink." As she went to get it, he called out, "And while you're at it, would you bring me something to eat?"
She said, "I swear, as surely as your God lives, I don't have so much as a biscuit. I have a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a bottle; you found me scratching together just enough firewood to make a last meal for my son and me. After we eat it, we'll die."
Elijah said to her, "Don't worry about a thing. Go ahead and do what you've said. But first make a small biscuit for me and bring it back here. Then go ahead and make a meal from what's left for you and your son. This is the word of the God of Israel: 'The jar of flour will not run out and the bottle of oil will not become empty before God sends rain on the land and ends this drought.'"
And she went right off and did it, did just as Elijah asked. And it turned out as he said — daily food for her and her family. The jar of meal didn't run out and the bottle of oil didn't become empty: God's promise fulfilled to the letter, exactly as Elijah had delivered it!
Later on the woman's son became sick. The sickness took a turn for the worse — and then he stopped breathing.
The woman said to Elijah, "Why did you ever show up here in the first place — a holy man barging in, exposing my sins, and killing my son?"
Elijah said, "Hand me your son."
He then took him from her bosom, carried him up to the loft where he was staying, and laid him on his bed. Then he prayed, "O God, my God, why have you brought this terrible thing on this widow who has opened her home to me? Why have you killed her son?"
Three times he stretched himself out full-length on the boy, praying with all his might, "God, my God, put breath back into this boy's body!" God listened to Elijah's prayer and put breath back into his body — he was alive! Elijah picked the boy up, carried him downstairs from the loft, and gave him to his mother. "Here's your son," said Elijah, "alive!"
The woman said to Elijah, "I see it all now — you are a holy man. When you speak, God speaks — a true word!"
1 Kings 17:8-24 (from THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language © 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. All rights reserved.)
What are the issues that mark hospitality in this story?
First, we shouldn’t be quick to judge who is able to offer hospitality. Elijah was hosted by a flock of birds! And later, he is cared for by a widow trying to support her son at a time when there was no Social Security or welfare system as we know it. Yet hospitality provided everything that Elijah needed.
That is because, second, hospitality involves simplicity. It is not that the gifts of the host are necessarily lavish; that may not be possible. But the love and the care involved in hospitality are lavish because they go well beyond self-interest.
Third, the real provider of sustenance in hospitality is God. God provided the food for the birds to bring to Elijah, and he kept the jar and bottle full of flour and oil as well. Because of the widow’s willingness to share in hospitality, God provided even more for the host than she would have had otherwise.
Finally, we see once again that in true hospitality, the guest blesses the host at least as much as the host blesses the guest. Yes, Elijah is fed, but the wherewithal to do that is a blessing that God gives through Elijah. And what would the widow have done to heal her son if not for her extraordinary guest? The healing is hardly repayment in kind (Luke 14:12-14), but a blessing from God of another kind altogether.
Today, as we are about the ministry of hospitality, providing a safe place for needy children or the other important tasks of our day, let’s think about these four markers of hospitality and how we can be better hosts and guests. Even more, let us be thankful to God, the true provider, for the ways that he shows hospitality to us in this, his world.
Blessings,
Ron
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Who's that knocking at the door?
Someone knocks at the door.
You go to see who it is, and as you open the door, you see two men standing there. Black suit coats. Black pants. Black hats. Ray Bans. If you were to ask, one of them would tell you that he has $23.07 in his pocket. But there is no luggage, and no car, not even a car “with a cop motor, a 440 cubic inch plant, … cop tires, cop suspensions, cop shocks.” Not even “a model made before catalytic converters so it'll run good on regular gas.”
You’re admittedly a little stunned, so you stand there speechless. The two men look at each other, then look at you and say together, “We’re on a mission from God.”
Would you let them in?
Before you answer “no”, consider the task that Jesus gave to the seventy that he sent out in pairs:
The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. Go on your way. See, I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves. Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and greet no one on the road. Whatever house you enter, first say, 'Peace to this house!' And if anyone is there who shares in peace, your peace will rest on that person; but if not, it will return to you. Remain in the same house, eating and drinking whatever they provide, for the laborer deserves to be paid. Do not move about from house to house. Whenever you enter a town and its people welcome you, eat what is set before you; cure the sick who are there, and say to them, 'The kingdom of God has come near to you.' But whenever you enter a town and they do not welcome you, go out into its streets and say, 'Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet, we wipe off in protest against you. Yet know this: the kingdom of God has come near.' I tell you, on that day it will be more tolerable for Sodom than for that town.
Luke 10:2-12 – NRSV
When Jesus sent forth his workers, he deliberately sent them with so few resources that they would be dependent upon the hospitality of others. They could not purchase room, board, or replacement sandals; others would have to provide them with these blessings.
Yet, who blessed whom?
Did the people who provided shelter and food give a greater blessing, or the guests who delivered the living water? Sometimes we see ourselves as the benefactors when we invite guests into our homes, yet who blesses whom?
Just as the hosts of Jesus’ messengers were blessed by their hospitality, so are we. This is generally true, but it is especially when we show hospitality to children. Don’t expect the blessing, and don’t ask for it either. But watch and see if they do not bring more into your life than you can put into theirs. Perhaps this awareness will allow us to burn bright, instead of burn out.
May God bless your hospitality today.
Ron
You go to see who it is, and as you open the door, you see two men standing there. Black suit coats. Black pants. Black hats. Ray Bans. If you were to ask, one of them would tell you that he has $23.07 in his pocket. But there is no luggage, and no car, not even a car “with a cop motor, a 440 cubic inch plant, … cop tires, cop suspensions, cop shocks.” Not even “a model made before catalytic converters so it'll run good on regular gas.”
You’re admittedly a little stunned, so you stand there speechless. The two men look at each other, then look at you and say together, “We’re on a mission from God.”
Would you let them in?
Before you answer “no”, consider the task that Jesus gave to the seventy that he sent out in pairs:
The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. Go on your way. See, I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves. Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and greet no one on the road. Whatever house you enter, first say, 'Peace to this house!' And if anyone is there who shares in peace, your peace will rest on that person; but if not, it will return to you. Remain in the same house, eating and drinking whatever they provide, for the laborer deserves to be paid. Do not move about from house to house. Whenever you enter a town and its people welcome you, eat what is set before you; cure the sick who are there, and say to them, 'The kingdom of God has come near to you.' But whenever you enter a town and they do not welcome you, go out into its streets and say, 'Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet, we wipe off in protest against you. Yet know this: the kingdom of God has come near.' I tell you, on that day it will be more tolerable for Sodom than for that town.
Luke 10:2-12 – NRSV
When Jesus sent forth his workers, he deliberately sent them with so few resources that they would be dependent upon the hospitality of others. They could not purchase room, board, or replacement sandals; others would have to provide them with these blessings.
Yet, who blessed whom?
Did the people who provided shelter and food give a greater blessing, or the guests who delivered the living water? Sometimes we see ourselves as the benefactors when we invite guests into our homes, yet who blesses whom?
Just as the hosts of Jesus’ messengers were blessed by their hospitality, so are we. This is generally true, but it is especially when we show hospitality to children. Don’t expect the blessing, and don’t ask for it either. But watch and see if they do not bring more into your life than you can put into theirs. Perhaps this awareness will allow us to burn bright, instead of burn out.
May God bless your hospitality today.
Ron
Monday, November 24, 2008
Repaid at the resurrecton ...
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
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
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