The Door to Uncommon Community

"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 the angels, but the Lord of angels. (Gen. 18)
*Rahab, the harlot. She received and protected the spies Thanks to her kindness, her kindred survived, and her name is remembered (Josh. 6:22-23, Matt. 1:5).
* Martha and Mary. THey opened their home for Jesus. He, in turn, opened the grave of Lazarus for them. (John 11:1-45; Luke 10:38-42).
*Zacchaeus. He welcomed Jesus to his table. And Jesus left salvation as a thank-you gift. (Luke 19:1-10).

And what about the greatest example of all - the "certain man" of Matthew 26:18? On the day before his death, Jesus told his followers, "Go into the city of a certain man and tell him, 'The Teacher says: "The chosen time is near. I will have the Passover with my followers at your house." " (NCV)

How would you have liked to be the one who opened his home for Jesus? You can be. "Whatevery you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me" (Matthew 25:40 NIV). As you welcome strangers to your table, you are welcoming God himself.

Something holy happens around a dinner table that will never happen in a sanctuary. In a church auditorium you see the back of heads. Around the table you see the expressions on faces. In the auditorium one person speaks; around the table everyone has a voice. Church services are on the clock. Around the table there is time to talk.

Hospitality opens the door to uncommon community."

Outlive Your Life by Max Lucado, page 56