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the context, it would have been vividly per room (Luk 22:8). A few years earlier,
remembered by all who heard. he was one of two who asked the Lord,
Of course, the Lord was unique in His “Where dwellest Thou?” then heard His
authority, and, being all-wise, He always welcoming words, “Come and see,” and
knew perfectly what to say, and when, he “came and saw where he dwelt, and
and how. We can tend to come across as abode with him that day” (Joh 1:38,39).
indiscreet and critical, and we need dis- Thus, John would have been aware that
cernment in these things. Nevertheless, the Lord who was accepting hospitality
hospitality often provides a means, in an at the close of His public ministry had
informal and unthreatening setting, for Himself shown it at its start. He was
God’s people to be of help and guidance to certainly not among those who expect to
others for whom they have a spiritual care. be shown hospitality by others but who
His Courtesy have no interest in showing it themselves!
The Lord’s conduct would teach us How relevant are His words, “All things
how to behave ourselves appropriately, whatsoever ye would that men should do
whether as host or guest. Simon the to you, do ye even so to them” (Mat 7:12)!
Pharisee (Luk 7:36-50) was an exceedingly In all likelihood, the place to which the
discourteous host. Although he invited the Lord welcomed those two early disciples
Lord, he did not accord Him the courte- was very modest compared to the upper
sies normally shown to guests, and his room. Yet it was not the building or the
criticism of the Savior for accepting the quality and quantity of the food that mat-
gratitude of the sinful woman is evidence tered, but who was there and what took
that the purpose of the invitation was to place while they were together. We should
find fault. Thus, we learn that we should not shrink from showing hospitality just
show hospitality out of love and not with because we cannot match what others can
ulterior motives. If our guests are not truly do. The financial, domestic, medical, etc.
welcome, it will be obvious to them, and situations of believers vary. Indeed, for
much harm will be done. some dear saints, showing any amount
In contrast, the Lord Jesus was a most of hospitality is extremely difficult or
courteous guest. When arriving in Em- impossible. The Lord sympathizes with
maus on the day of His resurrection, He the situations of His people, and He does
did not demand hospitality, but “made as not lay upon us burdens that we cannot
though he would have gone further” (Luk bear. On one occasion He was enjoying
24:28). Although He accepted and appreci- hospitality in the home of Simon the leper,
ated hospitality, He did not presume upon and a woman came and anointed Him.
it. Showing hospitality is a responsibility Knowing that it was done out of devo-
that Scripture enjoins upon us; however, tion to Him and in appreciation of His
receiving it is not something that we are impending death, His comment to those
to demand, as a right. When shown hospi- who criticized her was, “She hath done
tality, we should be thankful and express what she could” (Mar 14:3-9). It is so for
gratitude to our hosts. us: we should do what we can for others,
His Consistency in love to Him who died for us. If that is
John was one of the two disciples whom our motivation, then however small it may
the Lord sent to request the use of the up- seem to be, it is precious in His sight.

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