Cultivating a Heart and Home of Hospitality | Role Models|

My plan of action for this series on hospitality is to separate the topic into specific posts. "Divide and conquer" they say. I plan on including sections/posts on The Commands of Hospitality, The Nitty-Gritty of Hospitality(practical helps), Quotes on Hospitality, ect... Today's post will delve into some of the people of the Bible that exemplify (to me) the meaning of true hospitality. Role Models of Hospitality.

There are more examples in the Bible than the three I have chosen to study in depth. I even considered later that even the Lord Jesus showed hospitality to the 5,000+ and later the 4,000+, sharing a boy's lunch with them. Showing them a miracle but just simply sharing His life.

Everyone can probably guess at least the first person(s) that show forth a model of hospitality, the good practices and the wrong priorities. The sister duo from the town of Bethany.

 

Mary and Martha



|found: Lk 10:38-42, John 12:1-11|

 

The Facts

-Jesus and the disciples were possibly unexpected. Thirteen unexpected men, if not more. Hungry men.

- Martha was frustrated about "much serving". She was focused on meeting the needs of the guests, but she was missing the fellowship.

-Mary was focused on the guests themselves, most especially Jesus. She was meeting the need of the fellowship of hospitality.

-The passage in John shows Mary and Martha having Jesus as a guest again and serving Him and the disciples a meal. But this time there is no evidence of a frazzled and frustrated Martha.

- Martha was a stickler for details, enough to make everyone else not want to be around her for her "nit-picky-ness". Maybe she felt she had to live up to certain expectations.

- Jesus condoned Martha's priorities, not what she did (the meal and household duties).

 

The second example is maybe one you wouldn't have thought of a couple roaming in the plains:

Abraham and Sarah

 

|found: Genesis 18:1-19|

The Facts

-Abraham was aware, observant of those strangers around him. He didn't just notice that they were strangers and move on with his day.

-He was eager to show hospitality- he ran to meet them! He seemed genuinely pleased to have company.

-He refreshed them by providing water to wash their weary feet and a place to rest.

-The place of hospitality was a shade tree and a tent.

-The angel's visit was unexpected.

-Sarah prepared a meal, and it was simple but filling: fresh bread, roast calf, butter, and milk.

- The Lord Jesus incarnate was there. And Christ is always the guest in your home too, whether invited or not.

-Abraham gave them a proper send off, he walked with them a ways on their journey.

-Abraham's goal was to bring comfort to their hearts. (vs. 5)

 

And I saved my favorite for last. This woman doesn't even have her name mentioned, but yet over and over I learn so much from her, not only in the area of hospitality. The No-Name Woman from Shunam:

The Shunamite Woman

 

|found: 2 Kings 4:8-37, 8:1-6|

The Facts

- She was gracious and hospitable despite her own trials and burdens: barrenness and old age or at least a husband with old age.

- She had heard Elisha was coming and practically begged him to come in, to eat, and be refreshed. And every time after this encounter Elisha stopped and stayed at their home.

-Her home was an oasis, refreshing for the prophet.

-She and her husband created a room for the prophet Elisha, keeping the furnishings simple- a bed, a table, a stool and a candlestick.

- She served in her own home, with her own posessions.

-Elisha was anxious to show his thanks.

- God took away her burden of barrenness- she was given a son.

- Trials continued despite her service for the Lord. In chapter 8 we find she had to leave that home because of famine and when she returned it was no longer hers.The place she had ministered. The place of refreshing for the man of God. But through Gehazi (Elisha's servant) and the king, God restored everything she had lost.

Lessons Learned

Mary and Martha- Don't become so obsessed with the meal and preparations that you forget to prepare yourself for the guest you are receiving. Don't over do everything, simple is always best. Simple and sincere. Having a clean house and lavish meal aren't wrong, just let it turn you into a harried woman who people don't want to be around. Your family should not dread having company over because you turn into a fanatical cleaning monster. It is much better to be real, be gracious, be truly happy to have company over. You will always be your worst critic and you will never live up to your own expectations, remember to keep growing and learning.

Abraham and Sarah - Reach out to those you don't really know. That new family at church, maybe your unsaved neighbor, or the elderly couple at church that have been members for 30 years.The place really doesn't matter, they entertained in the shade of a tree. And Abraham was probably one of the wealthiest men of his time. Think of hospitality outside the box, forget the beautifully set table with linens, china and your six course meal; have a picnic in your back yard, a campfire, or even an ice cream party! (just be sure I am invited!) Abraham was eager to be hospitable, can your guests tell that you are genuinely excited for them to be there?Walk your guests to the door of their car when they leave, it makes them feel like you really want them to stay, not "Boy! I'm glad that's over!"

The Shunamite Woman- Be aware of needs and be eager to meet them. Your pastors and missionaries have needs and pressures that you have no idea about. Take time to fellowship with them, befriend them, not because you really need their wisdom on this or that situation. Don't let your time together become a couseling session.Don't let limitations and burdens stop you from entertaining. Create an oasis in your home, the atmosphere and attitude leaving guests refreshed. Show hospitality without looking for any return of hospitality. No "If I have so and so over, then they should return the invitation."

Through the lives of these people I have learned much about the people they ministered to: the sisters to Jesus and the disciples(believers), Abraham and Sarah to the visiting angels and the Lord (strangers to them), and the Shunamite Woman to the man of God (those in the ministry- pastors & missionaries). Hospitality is to reach all types of people

What other examples in the Bible can you think of? Imagine if you were the guest leaving your home, what impression of the hostess would you get? How can you change some priorities in your life to be a stronger person of hospitality?