I find it interesting that the words “hospital” and “hospitality” come from the same Latin root. I think, if we look at the accounts of hospitality in the Bible, we will see that true hospitality means inviting people to a place of holistic nourishment (the hospital part) where people see Christ in our declaration and demonstration. This is living out the hope of Jesus. Hospitality ought to be a hospital.
Jesus was hospitable with a lot of scandalous people. He associated with the kind of people that brought charges of fraternization with sin. He associated with people of the low societal standing. He associated with people who drew the ire of the religious folk. He associated with people who were ostracized by the national patriots.
If we say we are following Jesus in the cruciform life, then we must also welcome into arms of hospitality the kind of people that Jesus welcomed. This is an integral part of fulfilling the Great Commission. When Jesus commissioned the disciples with the gospel, they had walked daily with him for three years, watching how he interacted. So when he sends them out, the expectation was to live as Jesus lived. Interact as Jesus interact. Generous hospitality.
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