Daily Devotional

We see in the Scriptures that hospitality is commanded by God, especially for church leaders (1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:8). But what is hospitality? Quite literally it means to be “a lover of strangers.”  Christ revealed the ultimate example of hospitality when he greeted the woman at the well. She was a woman. Rabbis were not supposed to talk to women. She was a Samaritan. Jews in Jesus’ hated Samaritans, considering them “half-breeds.” She was an outcast, shamed by her immorality and her many broken relationships. Here she is collecting water all alone, in the middle of the day when it was scorching hot! Yet, Jesus tenderly reached out to her, loving and accepting her, not as a stranger but as a precious child in the eyes of God. His offer to her was so very welcoming:

John 4:14 “…whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.”

Just like that woman, when we were strangers, Christ met our greatest need—salvation. He invited us to quench our thirst with the living water. He sacrificed Himself for us while we were strangers (cf. Romans 5:8, 10)

Hospitality is sacrificing for a stranger. It is offering what we have to give and more. As Christ did with the outcast woman, hospitality is showing by our actions that we value people—any people—with the value God places on us:

1 John 4:19 “We love, because He first loved us.”

Traveling internationally as JARON missionaries my husband and have been blessed by many people’s hospitality. We have stayed in some very humble homes. Whether it was a mat on the floor or a simple couch, we were grateful. The food was often unfamiliar: fried fish for breakfast, soup with floating fish heads for lunch, and mystery meat for dinner. Yet, we were blessed by our hosts as they gave so sacrificially of themselves.

I think fondly of the time in Europe when a young couple invited us to dinner. We crowded around their small table in the tiny kitchen. We were treated to a plate of sausages and Spam with a few potatoes and carrots. We felt loved and cared for because we knew this meal was so very expensive for them.

This past year, a family hosted us in Northern Ireland. They made sure our needs were met, even giving us their own bed while they moved to the attic. The family drove us everywhere and packed us lunches to enjoy while we traveled. Their kindness will not be forgotten.

These families gave what they had—simple or elaborate. They made us feel loved and accepted as they offered their friendship and fellowship. To them and us, hospitality is about the heart—not fancy foods or a perfect house. We can get that by staying in a hotel. We prefer to enjoy the love we find in the hearts of God’s people.

For Parents and Grandparents:

1. Read the story of the woman at the well to your kids. Talk about what Jesus was offering the woman. It wasn’t just water; it was eternal life.
   
   
2. Pray about inviting someone you don’t know to your home for dinner. Involve the kids in the preparation. Teach your kids how to treat your guests.
   
   
3. Teach your children to not talk to strangers.
   It may be a bit confusing to your kids when you invite someone you do not know into your home. Explain to your kids that they are safe with you. The kids can follow your example and offer a friendly greeting to the stranger in your home. If there is any uneasiness with overnight guests, you can have the kids sleep with you in your bedroom.

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