In the Bible, hospitality meant showing love to strangers by opening one’s home to them. Throughout our marriage, my husband and I have practiced hospitality by providing meals to strangers, but rarely have strangers spent the night in our home.
We were recently blessed by being the recipients of hospitality. Our return flight was canceled during the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, so we were stranded in the Czech Republic. A Christian family we had met on previous visits opened their home and their hearts to us when our hotel closed. For two weeks, we slept on their sofa bed and shared every meal with this family of five. We grew to love and appreciate them much more than if we’d just worshipped and broken bread with them, as we had on two previous trips. A strong bond developed between us, and we now feel like we have three additional grandchildren!
Their hospitality was a demonstration of care and concern for foreigners stranded in their country. It was also a demonstration of their love for Jesus Christ. “And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these, my brothers, you did it to me’” (Matthew 25:40).
How can we better show hospitality as disciples of Jesus Christ? Blessings await if we practice this practical way of demonstrating our love for Jesus through our love for strangers. Who knows? Strangers might then become beloved friends!
Father, help me to look for opportunities to show hospitality to strangers. May I never think it a burden to share the blessings you have provided with others. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Go Deeper — How can you show hospitality? It may not be taking someone in for weeks on end, but taking someone for a meal, helping them with housework when they are injured, or watching their kids so they can have a night out.
Photo Credit: Johanna Dahlberg