Redefining Hospitality

“Hospitality refers to an attitude that prevails in a person’s lifestyle, an attitude of extending grace to people, including the stranger, the person that is different. It certainly includes inviting people into your home, but if that is the extent of it, we have missed the core meaning. Hospitality is extending love to those we don’t know and who may be of a different ethnic or cultural history. It is the idea of being gracious to all people, welcoming them into your presence and making them feel valued. A true servant is characterized by hospitality - one who welcomes and embraces those who are unlike us - Jesus embraced us across our radical differences… As we welcome people just as they are and invite them to join us just as we are, it becomes a sacred event reflecting what Jesus did for us - providing us with a healing relationship.” - Duane Elmer

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So I just typed out that whole passage from the book I’m reading because I thought it was super cool! I came across the word hospitality and realized that, when I think of the traits of God, hospitality has never come to my mind before. It makes so much sense though doesn’t it? I love how Elmer says first that the character of the servant is characterized by this, and then that Jesus did this. He made this comparison twice! If we want to become more like Christ, we need to become more like the hospitable servant.