Day 9. Practicing Hospitality

ROMANS 12:10-13 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality.

What is hospitality? Hospitality in the ancient Jewish world focused on the alien or stranger in need. Some cultures showed some form of hospitality toward widows, orphans, and the poor. However, hospitality toward strangers wasn't exactly important to other surrounding cultures, yet to God's people it has always been an important attribute. Abraham practiced hospitality by welcoming and feeding the strangers that visited him, warning of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen 18:2-8). Jethro (eventually Moses' father-in-law) showed Moses hospitality giving him a place to stay and eventually a place in his family after Moses helped his daughters water their flocks (Exodus 2:20). Job used his own hospitality of providing housing for strangers to argue his innocence before God in Job 31:32. Hospitality is also a qualification for church leaders according to Titus 1:3 and 1 Timothy 3:2. Think of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37). He was a picture of hospitality tending to the needs of a complete stranger, bloodied and lying along the side of the road. 

The good Samaritan is perhaps an extreme example of hospitality, but he is the example that Jesus wants us to follow! Let's take a look at our own opportunities to reach out to strangers. 
Are we willing to be welcoming to strangers? Perhaps you have the opportunity to be hospitable to a neighbor. Perhaps you have the opportunity to be hospitable to a classmate without many friends. Are you willing to be like Christ to them? Perhaps you will see a visitor at church in the coming weeks. Are you willing to be welcoming to new visitors at church? Are you willing to spend your time welcoming someone new even if it is outside YOUR comfort zone? Jesus loved us while we were strangers of his sheepfold, so we ought to follow the example of our Master. Make a purposed effort to be hospitable today!