Week 3 | Day 5 | The True Meaning of Hospitality

Command:

But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous. Luke 14:13-14 (NIV)

Read:

35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me… 40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ Matthew 25:35-36; 40 (NIV)

Reflect:

I remember a time when I was hesitant to extend my table to those who couldn't repay me. It was a holiday season, and I was caught up in the festivities with friends and family. The house was filled with laughter, the aroma of good food, and the warmth of close relationships. But amidst the celebration, I felt an unsettling emptiness, a nagging question that I couldn't shake off: "Is this what hospitality is truly about?"

I am struck by the passage in the Gospel of Matthew where Jesus talks about the final judgment. He is separating the sheep from the goats based on one simple criterion: how they treated the "least of these." I realized then that true hospitality is not about reciprocity; it's about grace. It's not about inviting those who can return the favor but about welcoming those who have nothing to offer in return. 

That very week, I reached invited some friends who didn’t know Jesus out to eat and just hang out. The initial awkwardness gave way to genuine conversations, shared laughter, and a newfound sense of community. It was as if the words of Jesus had come alive right there at the table.

This experience was transformative for them and me. I began to understand the heart of God and that hospitality is to extend love and kindness to those who have nothing to give in return. It's a humbling and transformative experience that echoes in eternity.

React:

How can you extend your table to those who are marginalized or less fortunate in your community? Are there any fears or hesitations that hold you back from practicing this form of hospitality?

Pray:

Lord, help me to see others through your eyes and to extend my table in a way that reflects your grace and love. Give me the courage to step out of my comfort zone and practice the hospitality you command. May my actions be a true reflection of your heart for all people. Amen.