Agreed, dear P (peace, dear one!). Because "hospitality" was SUPPOSED to be not just the norm for Israel. but the REQUIREMENT. And not just with "friends" but with strangers, as well. (Isaiah 58:6a, 7
And we have NUMEROUS accounts that show this,, including but NOT limited to:
- Abraham and the three that came to him before the destruction of Sodom - The woman who had her husband construct a room for Elijah - The demise of Nabal, the husband of Abigail, for NOT showing hospitality to David - Our dear Lord's words to dear Lazarus (aka "Simon, the Leper/Zealot") who failed to wash our dear Lord's feet when he came to that one's home - The admonishments of our dear Lord, and Paul, James, Peter, and John... regarding showing hospitality (and the blessings/kudos to those who showed such toward them and other members of the early Body).
There are just WAY too many verses for me to cite here. But there was a time when people were supposed to be able to RELY, at least from ISRAEL, on being cared for as they traveled. Being able to stay over in a stranger's house, even... without fear of harm (OR the householder fearing harm FROM the traveling stranger!).
We are, perhaps, a long way from THAT, given the millenia that have past. I have taken several "strangers" into my home in the past - some good, some not so good. But we STILL owe one ANOTHER, at least, that kind of love and hospitality. Eye-ee... the SAME that we would give CHRIST, should HE show up at our doorstep.
Problem(s) TODAY is:
(1) How do we KNOW that the one asking of us IS a member of our Lord's Body? The answer to which is... sometimes... we don't. Sometimes, then, we have to just go on FAITH... do the RIGHT thing ("You MUST love your neighbor AS you love yourself")... and let our Father, THROUGH our dear Lord... work it out. Keeping the safety of our own household in mind, of course, but not making that SUCH an exception that we CANNOT extend the "hand" of love, where it is warranted;
(2) MANY will come, "on the basis of his name"... claiming to belong to/ stating a union with our dear Lord... with nothing of the sort REALLY going on. Rather, they have learned that we are "bound" to the Law [of LOVE]... and so take advantage of that love, saying things like "If YOU... TRULY belonged to Christ... YOU would [do such and so for me]. Whatever it is such one wants [you to do]. The response to that is that while, yes, there ARE those folks out there, OUR task... is to listen to our dear Lord as to who they TRULY are. Beccause in listening to OURSELVES, we COULD "rationalize" that such persons are NOT of Christ and so miss OUT on "doing good" to one of his brothers. Alternatively, we could assume such one(s) IS/ARE... and be fooled/misled.
(3) And most sadly, some... do not know how to RECEIVE hospitality. Rather, some, for whatever reason... not only move toward taking advantage of hospitality, but go so far as to consider it an entitlement. And in doing so, conduct themselves horrendously. NOT in line with Christ, who made himself the SERVANT, but as one who feels himself/herself "entitled" (to another's good graces).
Note: This latter one is a very sad situation because it can include, today, even those who ARE of Israel... in the flesh... AND those who MAY be, in spirit. If they are of Israel of flesh AND spirit (or of spirit, as one of the "nations")... we can only pray that such ones SEE their "error"... recognize that, in spite of the FLESHLY upbringing or POV... unless they become SERVANTS, as Christ was and taught HIS Body to be... and TURN back... they may have to accept delegation to a "lesser" seat in the "house". I digress.]
How do WE know, though, as to number 2? Only one way: ask. EVEN SO, though... even if we "hear" that they do NOT belong to him... LOVE... "covers"... a multitude of transgressions. And so, we might show hospitality... EVEN THOUGH... such one does NOT belong to our dear Lord.
Alternatively... and this is something that I have been allowed to do (praise JAH, there is ALWAYS a "way"... even if the "way" is a way OUT)... rather than receive someone 'suspect' into one's home (which could put such and his/her household at risk)... I was permitted, instead, to pay for a few nights' lodging elsewhere. Which I believe was better for EVERYONE: the one in need as WELL as my own household (teenage daughter - not letting some strange man stay in my house... sorry. Don't really care WHO he claims to be. But also could not shut the door of compassion on him, either. I think you all know what I mean). I say "permitted" because, JUST prior to... I didn't have a dime!. I knew, though, when I received the "funds"... who and what they were for. AND Whom the funds came FROM. And using them as I KNEW they were meant to be... I subsequently received EVEN MORE.
I am not sharing this with you dear, DEAR people... in order to make myself look... righteous. "Better." I am NOT. I am sharing it because I know you struggle with the same situations... and questions. And wonder... "what to do?"
I cannot tell you what to do. I can only share what has occurred with ME. And what has occurred with ME is that... when I LISTEN to our dear Lord... and do HIS will... he always... ALWAYS... either (1) helps me do whatever it is HE wants done; (2) gives ME the COURAGE to show love; and/or (3) makes a way out. And by "makes a way out" I don't mean makes an excuse NOT to show love. I mean, makes a way wherein I (and my household) are not put in physical (let alone, spiritual) danger.
Our dear Lord was hospitable. Remember, although by the time it took place HE had NO place to lay HIS head... HE hosted the last meal his initial chosen Apostles had with him! True. he delegated some of the preparations to them, but he COULD have put it ALL on them ("Hey, yeah, I'm coming to YOUR house THIS year. Matthew - Is everything ready?"). But he took care of the actual meal; indeed, he did so even before he dispatched his disciples to get things ready. They couldn't have done so... had he not already covered the expenses... whatever they were... however he was able to do so.
He, a mere carpenter... deformed and greatly afflicted... with nowhere to lay HIS head, by this time. Showed hospitality to... and so provided and "cared for" those HE loved... in spite of it. NOT... required them to show hospitality to... and care for... HIM.
We have a "shining" example, dear ones. And... a voice. And, regardless of what ANYONE might say to the contrary, I KNOW... we ALL... AS A SPECIES... and "KIND"... hear it. We KNOW what we "ought" to do. We just always manage to find "reasons" NOT to do it. Myself included, were I LISTEN to "myself" and not the One who speaks... "from the heavens (kingdom)"... which is INSIDE you.
I hope this helps... truly.
Peace... to you ALL... and to your dear, dear households!
YSSFS of Christ,
Shel... who posted this under the influence of a good deal of cold medicine (and so my sincere apologies to you dear ones AND to my dear Lord, the HOLY One of Israel and Holy Spirit, JAHESHUA, the Chosen One of JAH (MischaJAH) but I didn't want to beg off), so please overlook any typos,wrong words, etc., and use your GOOD judgment, please (i.e., listen to and be guided by Christ, the TRUTH)... where something doesn't seem to make sense...
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