Be Hospitable to Outsiders | Retreat session 2

Hospitality to others

Jesus said, “Follow Me and I will make you fishers of men.” (Matthew 4:19)

The implication in the fishing metaphor is attraction. It is significant that Jesus did not say I will make you “trappers of men,” or “hunters of men.” The metaphor of a fisherman implies drawing people, appealing to something within them. Since it is only a metaphor, the parallel isn’t comprehensive. We, of course, aren’t attracting them to become our dinner. But we may well use our dinner to attract them.

Hospitality has always been a valued virtue for followers of Jesus, but in a post-Christian culture it takes on special priority.

In the first-century, there were Rumors about the church which were very unflattering. The practice of taking the Lord’s supper and other practices of the early church led to such accusations as–cannibalism, incest, and gross immorality… Obviously these types of rumors would be circulated by those who were antagonistic toward the church, or who were completely unfamiliar with the teaching of Christ and practices of the church.

Here are three reasons why hospitality to outsiders, be it neighbors, co-workers, or others God puts in your sphere, is especially important in our context today.
1. A chance to break stereotypes (formed by pop culture, media, or hypocrites)

2. A chance for prolonged interaction (not only longer than a passing conversation, but longer-term than a one-time conversation. ) (Jesus in Samaria, Jesus with Zacchaeus…)

3. A chance to know individuals well enough to love them personally

  • It’s important to observe in the gospels how Jesus never interacted with individuals in exactly the same way. He didn’t have a memorized formula for sharing God’s truth with them. He adapted His mode and communication to the person He was interacting with, all for the sake of best communicating God’s eternal truth.

The Apostle Paul likewise followed the same pattern: “I have become all things to all men that I might by all means win some.” (1 Corinthians 9:22)

This pattern applies especially to how we communicate, and points to the need to know people well enough to understand how to communicate the good news in a the way most fitting for them.

Being hospitable provides this opportunity.