Under Valued gifts (6)

6. The gift of hospitality

This strikes at the heart of why we have lunch together once a month - hospitality is really important in the bible.

Have you ever noticed how much of Jesus’ ministry revolved around food? From the miraculous (Feeding of the 5,000 or the Wedding at Cana) to the mundane (having dinner at the home of a Pharisee named Simon), and even to his ministry (how many parables climax with a big banquet?).

Take a gospel. Luke is a good place to start. Read it through in one go pausing to note how often hospitality breaks into the story.

In every culture that I have ever encountered there is something special about eating and drinking together. It breaks down barriers - it both symbolises and encourages a deepening of relationships.

Now I realise that some find this easier than others. Finances or other circumstances of life may make it much harder for you to open up your home for others. Some of us are paraylsed by high expectations of entertaining. But hospitality is not entertaining. Just put the kettle on. All that’s okay - Jesus does not expect us all to be the same - but he does expect us all to get the principle.

That’s why we have lunch together after PBCam once a month. Anyone can join in that and invite others to stay. If you aren’t a good cook then why not invite some people from church out to a cafe? Of if money is an issue then why not go out for a coffee? Or stay in for a coffee?

There is something magic that happens when we eat and drink together. Suddenly we relax and become more ourselves. Then it is so much easier to laugh and cry together. Table Talk. That’s such a valuable gift in encouraging people to follow Jesus.

• read - through Luke’s gospel looking for meals.
• invite - people over for a meal or coffee. It doesn’t have to be much.
• explore - grab some friends and check out the Bourke Street Bakery or Coffee Alchemy (both in Marrickville). If anyone asks, then tell them your Pastor said you had to go!

“Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.” (1 Peter 4: 9)