Hospitality – makes me think of the old Motel 6 commercials: “This is Tom Bodett, and we’ll leave the light on for you!” A cozy image of a comfy room and bed after a hard day’s travel; no matter what time you arrive; no matter the windblown state of your hair; or the amount of Milk Duds and beef jerky you have eaten on the road: the welcome mat is still out; the hotel key is waiting; and the light is still on.
Jesus showed us such deep hospitality, in fact, so much more than waiting there for us with the light on, He was proactively reaching out, inviting us over and over to touch, to engage, to enjoy a close relationship with Him.
It’s funny — since covid, I still sometimes worry that I’m invading someone’s space, that I’m getting too close — that literally and figuratively, I should back away and keep a respectful distance.
In contrast, Jesus doesn’t observe a personal bubble at all. There is no reserved space around Him, and no concern about rejection. He invites us into deep connection with Him without reservation or conditions. And He fully expects to receive that same invitation back! There is no doubt in Him.
He called out to Zacchaeus in front of an entire crowd, literally inviting Himself over to Zacchaeus’ home for a meal together. Jesus’ heart was so wildly and completely on his sleeve, that he felt no embarrassment about Zacchaeus’ low status in the community. It had no bearing on the extent of His love.
And when Jesus invited others to His own table at the Last Supper, Jesus welcomed His friends, taking to his knees to carefully wash the feet of His guests. His final act of extravagant hospitality: offering up His own body, His own life, to have a relationship with all of us throughout time.
It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.
The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. John 13:1-5 NIV
This week, perhaps stretch into a new small act of hospitality. This week I had a neighbor I didn’t know well, leave me some music in my mailbox – knowing that I play the flute – with an invitation to come play duets with her on the piano. What an extraordinary example of hospitality that is! It was brave, friendly, and without reservation. I look forward to making a new musical friend this week, thanks to her lovely invitation. THAT is a neighbor who has truly left the light on for me!
by Carie Grant
