In the ancient Near East, hospitality was more than offering someone a beverage when they entered your home. It consisted of sacred codes of conduct. The region’s desert environment made for harsh traveling conditions. For a traveler in biblical times, access to food and water was a matter of life and death. Consequently, a tradition arose requiring occupants of a city to welcome and care for any guests who arrived. Cultural customs in our towns might not resemble those of Jesus’s day, but that doesn’t mean we can’t embrace a habit of hospitality as we interact with people. Sometimes we can show the hospitality of Jesus in a big way by giving our time or our resources to help those in need. But most of our hospitality will come down to loving others as Jesus did. This involves simple acts like asking someone who is lonely to share a cup of coffee, making room for someone at a table, or asking a cashier how their day is going. Smiles and kind words are a valuable currency in building up God’s people. Each of us is equipped with unique means of showing hospitality to others and making them feel welcome and cared for

Consider these questions as you reflect on today’s reading:

Why do you suppose Jesus said that “a prophet has no honor in his own country” (John 4:44)?

Think of a memorable time when you extended hospitality to someone. What made that experience memorable?

In very practical ways, what does it look like when someone loves like Jesus?