The God we serve describes himself as the ultimate host! He tells us of a grand banqueting table he prepares for his followers to one day dine at (Isaiah 25:6) and a forever home in Heaven that he graciously has crafted just for us (John 14:2). When God incarnate walked this Earth, he showed us how to embrace those who you had nothing in common with. Jesus broke every racial, socio-economic, and cultural barrier during his ministry because his mission was to show that God’s love is for all of humanity.
The gospels tell us of a Jesus who practiced radical hospitality, and our Messiah invites us to do the same.
This Heaven-inspired hospitality goes beyond Pinterest-perfect meals and well-planned dinner parties. Jesus’ hospitality is one that goes the extra mile even for someone who may even feel like an enemy. Jesus compelled his followers to go the extra mile when the Roman soldiers tapped them to carry their heavy gear the mandated one mile for them.
The Jews at the time would have resented this law that made them do the heavy lifting for the Roman army, but Jesus said not only to comply with this difficult law but to go above and beyond what was asked of them by walking a second mile with these soldiers! This practice was undoubtedly a radical mandate of unheard-of service and hospitality. But can you imagine the life-changing conversations and heart changes that happened between the Jews and the Romans as they trekked along together? Change happens in the above and beyond.
This is the kind of generous care we must extend to those around us. People are not impressed by us merely giving what is required of us. Christ's followers are called to give beyond what is reasonable because this is what the love of Christ is for us. We give freely with open hands because God gave his only son for us so we could have eternal life even while we were yet sinners. We are forever given hope and are invited to take the long view with our lives because God is our ultimate generous host.
Matthew 25:40 tells us, “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.’
God assesses our love for him by how we love the vulnerable. Just let that sink in for a moment. I believe that for most of us if we let that truth permeate our hearts, it would completely upend how we live our lives. What we need to remember most as we seek to follow God’s way is how fearlessly and relentlessly the God incarnate cared for the hurting, vulnerable, and lost. He was never too hurried to care for those who needed his loving touch.
Let us follow the example of Jesus and find out how we can be a part of showing compassion and care for those in need. Our first step is a sincere prayer to ask God how we can be used in his Kingdom as an agent who brings Heaven down! When we ask how to become more radical hosts, God is faithful to answer as this prayer aligns with his call for all his followers.
My husband and I took time to pray this prayer about five years ago, all the while feeling a little skeptical that God would answer. We were doing ‘good work’ as a believing family. Raising our three biological kids, homeschooling, and even having chickens! A perfectly acceptable way to live comfortably as American Christ followers, but what we would discover through prayer and a willingness to be obedient to the leading of the Holy Spirit is that God had so much more for us.
Our Jesus was calling us into unknown places that required a deep willingness to trust him with all we have and a Holy Spirit-led open-heartedness that made space for our family to stand in the gap for vulnerable kids and families in our community as foster parents. Foster care is the place where we have been led to step into dark places and believe firmly by faith that God’s light is greater than brokenness. Each of us has a space where we are called to be light bringers by committing to show our needy world the radical love of Christ.
There is an upside-downness to the way things work with God. Jesus teaches it’s better to give than to receive (Acts 20:35). He tells us that as we give, we should find joy (2 Corinthians 9:7). God’s word also tells us that our lives are to be living sacrifices (Romans 12:1).
How do sacrificing, giving, and living with less for ourselves when we give more to those who are in need all equal a joyful life? Because as we journey God’s narrow way his Spirit gives us all we need to follow him. True joy comes when we walk in obedience to God’s way and follow him as he gently leads us towards a selfless life.
As Christ's followers, we see that Jesus touches the untouchable, walks with the Roman soldiers, dines with the tax collector, and responds to the faith of the Gentiles. God does not let the barriers that our culture places on who and how we think of others hold back his ministry. His love is available to all who are willing to accept it.
Jesus, in the Sermon on the Mount, said blessed are the peacemakers because they will be called sons of God (Matthew 5:9). A part of living with Christ-centered hospitality is being faithful to live inclusive lives. The Bible teaches that every human has value because they are an image bearer of their Creator. That means we reject lines of division that want to silo us by race, wealth, politics, gender, and more. We treat no one as untouchable because we honor the value of their life. When we bravely embrace those who the world says we should reject, we see peace born out of our lives.
Let us feel the urgency of God’s example to live big, open lives that are ruled by God’s love. Who are we bringing to our table that may feel like a stranger? How are we caring for those who are caught in the dark? By faith let’s prepare a more generous heart that is obedient when the Spirit says love them for me today.
Photo Credit: Unsplash/Aaron Burden