Welcome Stranger!

My mother was a truly amazing hostess. My father, who was a minister, frequently brought guests home at the last minute, and if my mom was caught off guard, she never showed it. She always graciously greeted each new guest and then disappeared for a period of time into the kitchen, only to reappear with a sumptuous snack or meal. She appeared to do this almost effortlessly, but I know it actually took a lot of foresight and planning.

You see, my mom wasn't just an ordinary cook; she was an exceptional one. She had a restaurant specializing in Korean dishes for lunch that was packed every day. When you went to her restaurant, you immediately felt welcomed and attended to. My mom knew how to create an atmosphere of hospitality, as well as being a good cook, and both these skills were amply demonstrated in her success as a restaurant owner.

I often think of my mom and her hospitality when I travel internationally. Every culture has its own way of demonstrating hospitality to strangers, and it often involves considerable self-sacrifice on the part of the hosts. I am always humbled and a bit overwhelmed when we enter the home of a poor family, and they have prepared a meal for us that often involves some type of meat, which they almost never eat themselves. It is more than a meal; it is an extravagant gift of welcome.

Hospitality is an ancient practice and was actually important in early times for survival. Towns were few and far between, with most people living in rural areas. For travelers, there were no accommodations like hotels or restaurants. They had to depend on the hospitality of people they encountered as they journeyed. It was customary to take in the stranger and offer them a place to sleep, something to eat and even protection if needed.


Many ancient cultures contained written or orally transmitted commands to take in the stranger and provide for them. One of the laws in early Israel stated, "The stranger who resides with you shall be to you as a citizen among you. You shall love the stranger as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt. I am the Lord your God." (Leviticus 19:34)

Jesus equated hospitality with loving God and doing right. He said, "When you give a luncheon or dinner do not invite your friends or family or your rich neighbors. If you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the blind, the lame, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous." (Luke 14:12–14)

Hospitality is a godlike act, for God was the original host. The first two chapters of Genesis relate how He carefully designed and prepared the earth for us. He then created a beautiful garden, full of delicious things to eat and invited us in. He's been reaching out and welcoming us ever since. It brings Him great joy when we accept His hospitable invitation and spend time with Him.

Please come join us this Sunday at 9:00 AM or 11:00 AM. We will be discussing hospitality as a way of participating in and sharing God's love, another in our series on "What's the H in HRock Church?"