Showing Hospitality
3 JOHN 1:1-15
(December 7)
When I moved to my new neighborhood, I had high hopes for how it would be. In my mind's eye, I saw my neighbors stopping by with cookies to welcome me to the neighborhood, evenings in the front yard chatting with them about whatever topic we chose, and fun block gatherings. I even had hopes that there would be a special lady or two that would gather with me for coffee or do a bible study together.
I have been here over a year now, and none of that has come to pass. I do have one neighbor that will chat briefly if I catch her outside. Another neighbor is in my book club, and another attends the local chamber of commerce meetings with me. But honestly, the hospitality hasn't really been flowing in our little corner of the world.
My son's neighborhood got a flyer about a block party to celebrate Christmas. I thought that was really neat. When I mentioned that I wished my neighborhood would do something like that, he just looked at me for a moment and said, "Mom, if you want a block party, why don't you organize one?"
Hmmm... something to think about! Why don't I? Why don't I organize that gathering, or maybe a bible study? What is stopping me? I love having people over. Hospitality is my game! So, I'm not really sure what is stopping me. Maybe that is a goal I can set for the new year.
We were created for connection with others. Hospitality is important in the larger scope of things, and this is what John was trying to convey in his third letter. He addressed this letter to Gaius, who John dearly loved. It could be that John had experienced the hospitality of Gaius in the past as he traveled. Most traveling preachers were dependent upon the hospitality of others as they traveled from place to place.
In this letter, he writes about the need to show hospitality to traveling preachers and other believers. In his prior letter, he had warned them to refuse hospitality to false teachers who would try to deceive them with lies. But now, he is saying that if someone is preaching the truth, or a believer of the truth, show them hospitality and make their lives easier. Show them you support their work and make them comfortable while they do it.
He used Demetrius as an example. We don't know a whole lot about Demetrius. Is he the same Ephesian silversmith mentioned in Acts who opposed Paul? Or is he someone else? Whoever he was, he had a high regard for truth, and was a mighty example of it. It is believed that it was Demetrius that carried this letter from John to Gaius. If so, you can be certain that hospitality was shown to him.
Demetrius was an excellent role model for truth. Are you? Am I? Would believers of long ago be comfortable to open the doors of their homes to us, based on what they see of us?
Would my neighbors be comfortable to open their doors to me in hospitality for a cup of coffee or a time of study? Who would I be comfortable letting into my own home? Hospitality is necessary. It is good. It is required of all believers. But let us be mindful and watchful of those we show hospitality to, making sure we are not being deceived by someone who can manipulate us into doubting our beliefs or compromising them in some way.
Oh, and if you want a cup of coffee, come on over. I've got a pot ready for you!