Jesus Entertained Strangers

What perfect words from Jesus to sow into our hearts and ponder as we prepare to celebrate His birth. Many of us look forward to sharing the Christmas message by showing hospitality, practicing goodwill, and fellowshipping with family and friends.

But, do we limit who the recipient of our hospitality is? Are we practicing genuine biblical hospitality or a watered-down safe version of it? Or are we simply too comfortable to reach beyond our Christian walls?

Hospitality comes easily with people we are familiar with or have a relationship with because they fit neatly inside our Christian bubble. We feel secure with them, and there's little risk of rejection. But, if we are to be imitators of Christ and want to keep Christ in Christmas, shouldn't our hospitality extend to those living outside the Christian walls we've built?

Jesus entertained strangers. His hospitality wasn't restricted to those who followed him but was specially extended to those who did not because they urgently needed to hear His message!

Jesus didn't show hospitality through a Pinterest-worthy dining room table. As far as we know, Jesus had no brick-and-mortar home (Luke 9:58) to entertain in. Still, He had a mission to share the Good News of salvation with everyone he came across...the lepers, prostitutes, and the outliers of society to save them. It was the very reason He was born and we celebrate Christmas.

Genuine biblical hospitality doesn't discriminate; it requires us to break down our walls and open our doors to display the fullness of Christ’s love. The Samaritan woman by the well is a beautiful example of how Jesus used a moment of asking for a drink of water to change the course of her life. Through her testimony, others came to believe Jesus was the Messiah (John 4:1-44). The impact of that encounter had a rippling effect on the Kingdom!

Examine the barriers stopping you from practicing biblically-based hospitality. Get to the heart of hospitality, and share a cup of the living water.