Hospitality with the Gospel in View

Hospitality with the Gospel in View 

What words do you think of when you hear “hospitality”? …Manners, etiquette, welcoming.

Emily Post the American author famous for writing about etiquette, said "Manners are a sensitive awareness of the feelings of others. If you have that awareness, you have good manners, no matter what fork you use."

When we welcome others into our homes what do we want them to feel and know? What

do we say in actions and words that let them feel and know they’re welcome? Listen to this passage Scripture passage, and as you hear, think about what rules of hospitality were broken and what Jesus is teaching us about hospitality.

Luke 7 ³⁶ Then one of the Pharisees invited Him to eat with him. He entered the  Pharisee’s house and reclined at the  table.³⁷ And a woman in the town who was a sinner found out that Jesus was reclining at the table in the Pharisee’s house. She brought an alabaster jar of fragrant oil ³⁸ and stood behind Him at His feet, weeping, and began to wash His feet with her tears. She wiped His feet with the hair of her head, kissing them and anointing them with the fragrant oil.

³⁹ When the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he said to himself, “This man, if He were a prophet, would know who and what kind of woman this is who is touching Him—she’s a sinner!”

⁴⁰ Jesus replied to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.”

“Teacher,” he said, “say it.”

⁴¹ “A creditor had two debtors. One owed 500 denarii, and the other 50. ⁴² Since they could not pay it back, he graciously forgave them both. So, which of them will love him more?”

⁴³ Simon answered, “I suppose the one he forgave more.” “You have judged correctly,” He told him. ⁴⁴ Turning to the woman, He said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she, with her tears, has washed My feet and wiped them with her hair. ⁴⁵ You gave Me no kiss, but she hasn’t stopped kissing My feet since I came in. ⁴⁶ You didn’t anoint My head with olive oil, but she has anointed My feet with fragrant oil.⁴⁷ Therefore I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven; that’s why she loved much. But the one who is forgiven little, loves little.” ⁴⁸ Then He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”

⁴⁹ Those who were at the table with Him began to say among themselves, “Who is this man who even forgives sins?”

⁵⁰ And He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.”

Discussion questions:

Do you think that Simon showed hospitality? Why or why not?

To whom do you think Jesus would like us to show hospitality?

What message did Jesus share about welcoming others?

How has He welcomed you into His home and family?

Listen to how Jesus welcomes us into fellowship with Himself, in the words of Thomas Cranmer the 15^th century leader of the English Reformation and Archbishop of Canterbury, in the Book of Common Prayer:

Hear what comfortable words our Savior Christ says unto all that truly turn to Him.

COME unto me all that travail and are heavy laden, and I will refresh you. Matthew 11:28

God [the Father] so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16

Hear also what the Apostle Paul says.
This is a true saying, and worthy of all men to be received, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. 1 Timothy 1:15

Hear also what the Apostle John says.
If any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and he is the propitiation for our sins. 1 John 2:1

Prayer:
Heavenly Father: We thank you, thank you so much for the hospitality you show us by welcoming us into your family through Jesus, Who lived, died, was buried and rose again from the dead, according to the Scriptures for us and for our salvation. Thank you for making us your beloved children, who were once, because of our sin, your enemies. Thank you that one day, you will welcome us into our heavenly home, where we will worship you fully and forever. Forgive us for all the ways and times we have failed to show love and hospitality to those who need our love. Help us in light of your love to us, to love and serve others well, both in our homes and in our daily lives. In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.

Definitions and Food for Thought:

Sinner: someone who breaks God’s Holy Law. Every human being who has ever lived, because we are the children of Adam, and because we personally fail to keep God’s Law.

God’s Law: God’s commandments summed up by Jesus in two great commandments: Love the Lord your God personally, perpetually, and perfectly, all your life from conception to the death, and love your neighbor as yourself.

travail: working to the point of exhaustion.

Advocate: Someone who defends another before a Judge.

Propitiation: receiving the full weight of God’s anger and punishment for our sins.

Gospel: While we were yet sinners, Jesus Christ, God’s own Beloved Son, the Messiah, lived, died, was buried and rose again from the dead, according to the Scriptures for us and for our salvation so that we can be welcomed into God’s family.

(This was written as a devotion for the Ladies and Little Girls of Riverside Tea, August 17, 2019.)