Long before the church had pulpits and baptisteries, she had kitchens and dinnertables. Acts 2: 46 says; (46) And they, continuing daily with one accord in thtemple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat withgladness and singleness of heart. And 5: 42 this; And daily in the temple, and inevery house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.”And even casual reading of the New Testament unveils the house as the primarytool of the church. Philemon 1 & 2 says; “(1) Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, andTimothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer, (2)And to our beloved Apphia, Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thyhouse.” Colossians 4: 15; “Salute the brethren which are in Laodicaea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house.” 1 Timothy 3: 2; “ A bishop then must be blameless the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behavior, given to hospitality, apt to teach.” The primary gathering place of the church was the home. Consider the genius of God’s plan.
The first generation of Christians was a tinderbox of contrasting cultures and backgrounds. At least fifteen different nationalities heard Peter’s sermon on th Day of Pentecost. Jews stood next to Gentiles. Men worshipped with women. Slaves and masters alike sought after Christ. Can people of such varied backgrounds and cultures get along with each other today? We wonder the same thing today. Can we all find common ground? The early church did – without the aid of sanctuaries, church buildings, clergy, or seminaries. They did so through the clearest of messages (the Cross) and the simplest of tools (the home).
Not everyone can serve in a foreign land, lead a relief effort, or volunteer at the downtown soup kitchen. But who can’t be hospitable? Do you have a front door? A table? Chairs? Bread and meat for sandwiches? Congratulations! You just qualified to serve in the most ancient of ministries: hospitality. You can join the ranks of people such as Abraham. He fed not just angels, but the Lord of angels. Rahab, the harlot. She received and protected the spies. Thanks to her kindness, her kindred survived, and her name is remembered. Martha and Mary. They opened their home to Jesus, He, in turn, opened the grave of Lazarus for them. Zacchaeus. He welcomed Jesus to his table. And Jesus left salvation as a thank – you gift. And what about the greatest example of all – the “such a man”? On the day before his death, Jesus told his followers, “Go into the city to such a man and tell him, The Master says: The chosen time is near. I will have the Passover at thy house with my disciples.”
How would you have like to be the one who opened his home for Jesus? You can be. “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” (Matt. 25: 40). As you welcome stranger to your table, you are welcoming God himself. Something holy happens around the dinner table that will never happen in a sanctuary. In a church auditorium you see the backs of heads. Around the dinner table you see the expressions on faces. In the auditorium one person speaks; around the dinner table everyone has a voice. Church services are on the clock. Around the dinner table there is time to talk. Hospitality opens the door to uncommon community. It is no accident that hospitality and hospital come from the same Latin word, for they both lead to the same result: healing. When you open your door to someone, you are sending this message: “You matter to me and to God.” You may think you are saying, “Come over for a visit.” But what your guest hears is, “I’m worth the effort.” Amen.