Rediscovering Hospitality

Esther, who lived in a rented house, had a tough time making ends meet as the sole breadwinner for the family. But this woman was mighty in faith and was known for her generosity and hospitality. She opened her home to anyone in need, the vulnerable and the dispossessed. God was faithful to Esther in return, as He provided for her daily needs. 

Hospitality is the hallmark of God's people, emphasised throughout the Bible. God commanded the Israelites to be hospitable to strangers. He said, "You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you" (Lev 19:34). Jesus continued this emphasis and said, "I was a stranger, and you invited me in" (Matt 25:35). 

Strangers may appear as shadowy figures, suspects, and potentially dangerous individuals. But hospitality is about loving and welcoming them, even if we do not know them. It voluntarily invites the anonymous into our space and treats them as though they belong to us. It is a generous extension of our compassion for those outside our community. 

God is the ultimate definition of hospitality. God created the world and everything in it beautifully and gloriously. As the Creator, He is the rightful owner of all things (Psa. 24:1). Even then, He delegated the authority over creation to human beings (Psa. 8). Humans have nothing to claim for themselves; in God's world, humans are nothing more than beneficiaries. 

We were once strangers to God's covenantal community. God graciously brought us into the one community of God's people through Jesus Christ (Gal. 3:28; Eph. 2:12–13; Col. 1:29–32). All people, regardless of ethnicity or nationality, are now welcome in God's community. 

God welcomed us into fellowship in His kingdom through Jesus Christ when we were strangers. Therefore, being grateful for God's hospitality, we should be hospitable to others, even those different from us (Rom. 15:7; 1 Pet. 4:9). 

We are "sojourners" and "resident aliens" before God (1 Chron 29:15; Heb 11:9). Since sojourners' lives are insecure and prone to the dangers of exploitation and harassment, they need the mercy of the host. As we have experienced God's hospitality, we should extend the same to our fellow sojourners, both known and unknown. In Jesus' own words, by being hospitable to the needy, we serve Christ Himself (Matt. 25:34–40). 

In a world full of estrangements and divisions, let our churches be open, generous, and hospitable to all those who seek a resting place in their sojourn of life.