The first miracle Jesus ever performed has always been so fascinating to me. Jesus is at a wedding that runs out of wine. His mother asks him to help, and he takes six huge jars of water and turns them into some of the very best wine that grapes have to offer.
But why did he start here? Compared to healing a person with paralysis or raising someone from the dead, wine seems like kind of an insignificant place to begin. Only one of the gospels even records the story for us. The first miracle Jesus ever does and only John shares it. Why?!
While recently studying this passage, a friend of mine said, “Jesus really cares about throwing a good party.” In other words, Jesus has a heart for hospitality.
Romans 12 shares,
“We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.”
Romans 12:6-8
My favorite way to explain hospitality is: treating strangers like friends. And I think many of us consider hospitality a gift that some people just naturally have and others don’t and those with the gift should be the only ones expected to use it. We can be terrified of talking to strangers, let alone inviting them to our dinner tables or into our lives.
But if you continue to read in Romans 12, Paul says to all of us,
“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.”
Romans 12:9-12
Hospitality is not just for those it comes most naturally to. Hospitality is a call for all of us.
In The Gospel Comes With a Housekey, Rosaria Champagne Butterfield shares,
“We introverts miss out on great blessings when we excuse ourselves from practicing hospitality because it exhausts us. I often find people exhausting. But over the years I have learned how to pace myself, how to prepare for the private time necessary to recharge, and how to grow in discomfort. Knowing your personality and your sensitivities does not excuse you from ministry. It means that you need to prepare for it differently than others might.”
This is true not just for introverts but for anyone who does not feel a natural gifting toward treating strangers like friends. The good news is that hospitality can start small! Sometimes, just saying hello can lead to friendships where there used to be strangers.
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