083-What is the Biblical model for hospitality?

How do you feel when someone invites you to their home? Maybe it's a party or an intimate dinner with just a few people. Or maybe it's just a one-on-one conversation where you really get to know someone and they get to know you.

Or maybe you're the one inviting someone else.

Either way, there's a wonderful feeling of including others and being included that makes us feel loved and appreciated.

This week I talk with Sue Donaldson, author and speaker, about hospitality in a deeper sense of not just inviting someone over for a chat or a meal, but ministering to someone in a way that helps them realize how much God loves them.

Sue shares some great examples of how she has taken lessons on hospitality from lots of different Bible characters, especially Jesus.

Hospitality in the Bible:

• Simon the Pharisee who invited Jesus for a meal but did not wash his feet, a special sign of hospitality
• Compare Simon with the woman who sneaked into his house during the meal and washed Jesus's feet with her tears, then anointed his feet with expensive ointment
•  Think of the men who carried their paralyzed friend to Jesus but had to climb on the roof and remove roof tiles to lower their friend to where Jesus was inside for Jesus to heal him. Jesus received their gesture of faith with gracious hospitality.
• Matthew, the tax collector, invited Jesus to his home for a meal. The Pharisees disapproved associating with sinners and people like Matthew. But Jesus always accepted the hospitality of those who were receptive to his message. He looked at their hearts, not their outward appearance.
• The Good Samaritan is a wonderful example of how to express hospitality, even to those who are different from you
• And of course there's the story of Mary and Martha. Martha was so busy worrying about the food, she missed an opportunity to sit at Jesus's feet and partake of his spiritual hospitality.
• So many more in this week's episode...

Lessons learned

There are so many lessons to learn from these and other stories in the Bible about how to minister

Text me your questions or comments.

Support the show

If you enjoy the podcast, please rate and leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

__________________
James Early, the Jesus Mindset Coach, is a Bible teacher, speaker, and podcaster. His focus is on getting back to the original Christianity of Jesus by embracing the mindset of Christ in daily life.

• Reach out today if you need a speaker or Bible workshop for your church or organization (online and in person)
• Subscribe to the podcast (and get your copy of Praying with the Mindset of Jesus)
• Make a donation to support the show
• Schedule a free one hour coaching call to see if the Jesus Mindset Coaching program is a good fit for you
• Contact James here