I wanted to compare the meaning of hospitality in biblical times with its perceived meaning now, and came across this great explanation of what it meant back then:
Hospitality in the ancient world focused on the alien or stranger in need. The plight of aliens was desperate. They lacked membership in the community, be it tribe, city-state, or nation. As an alienated person, the traveler often needed immediate food and lodging. Widows, orphans, the poor, or sojourners from other lands lacked the familial or community status that provided a landed inheritance, the means of making a living, and protection. In the ancient world the practice of hospitality meant graciously receiving an alienated person into one's land, home, or community and providing directly for that person's needs.Found at: https://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionary/hospitality/
An article from Suffolk News Herald stated:
"Speaking biblically, hospitality is treating strangers and friends alike. It is welcoming one another into our homes and lives. Hospitality is a sacred duty"Found at https://tinyurl.com/2e5hb6hp "What is Christian Hospitality?" Staff writer, May 25, 2018
The Merriam-Webster online dictionary defines hospitable as:
a. given to generous and cordial reception of guestsI thought all of this was really interesting, especially the explanation from BibleStudyTools.com. My takeaway is that with all of the changes that have taken place since biblical times, the types of hospitality needed have also changed. Rarely are we going to have a stranger come to our door and ask for food and lodging because he is traveling by foot to his ancestral home, or because he is walking from town to town spreading the Good News of Jesus. But we may come across someone who is struggling to make ends meet, or who is without food or clothing. God very well may bring people into our lives so that we can use our gifts and/or resources to help them. Those are the people we can share God's love with, and the blessings He has given to us. Those are the people who need our hospitality.
b. promising or suggesting generous and friendly welcome
c. offering a pleasant or sustaining environment
d. readily receptive: OPEN
Keep your eye open for these opportunities to be hospitable to a stranger.
31 “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. 32 All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. 33 And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. 34 Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35 for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; 36 I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’
37 “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? 38 When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? 39 Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ 40 And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’
41 “Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: 42 for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; 43 I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’
44 “Then they also will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’ 45 Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ 46 And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
Matthew 25:31-46 NKJV
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Please join me this week in praying for the strangers that we have opportunities to serve. Pray that the Lord will guide us and that the Holy Spirit will prompt us to do His will in being hospitable. Pray for an open and loving heart so that we can show and spread the light within us to everyone we meet.
I'll post daily reminders on:
twitter @7DegreesOfMe
Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power
#7thHourPrayerPower #BibleVerses #bible #hospitality #love #angels
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