Page 13 - May 2022 - Truth & Tidings

Definitely not! The Lord Jesus taught Scripture never tells of a person prepar-
that in a future day He will note, “For I ing a five-star meal with jaw-dropping
was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I beauty for the Lord. Instead, we are told of
was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a a woman who gave Him water and some
stranger, and ye took me in” (Mat 25:35). people at the cross who wet His lips when
When questioned how this could happen He said, “I thirst” (Joh 19:28). Therefore,
in His absence He explained, “Inasmuch His interest is not so much in the quantity,
as ye have done it unto one of the least of quality or the coordination of foods. What
these my brethren, ye have done it unto He desires to find is the excellence of a
me” (v40). Therefore, to invite the newest,
weakest and most difficult believers over heart willing to use whatever one has to
for a meal or a coffee is an opportunity to help and bless others.
do something that will be recognized and The Prospect of Hospitality
rewarded by the Lord Himself. Rewards for Hospitality
His Excellence In the coming Kingdom hospitality
If our treatment of others is a reflection will be rewarded. The Lord Jesus said,
of our treatment of Christ, what kind of “Whoever gives one of these little ones
hospitality does He deserve? When the even a cup of cold water because he is a
angel of the Lord visited, Manoah wanted disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no
to prepare a goat for supper (Jdg 13:15). means lose his reward” (Mat 10:42 ESV).
When the same angel appeared in Ophrah, Therefore, at the Judgment Seat of Christ,
Gideon prepared a goat and unleavened all acts of hospitality by believers will
cakes (6:19). And when he appeared in be reviewed and every host will receive
the plains of Mamre, Abraham provided personal thanks from the Saviour as well
bread, curds, milk and a calf (Gen 18:5-8).
But please do not think that just because as eternal reward.
the Lord views your hospitality as being Rejoicing in Hospitality
toward Himself that therefore we must The Bible gives us sparse detail about
only provide super extravagant meals. our future activities and roles in heaven.
Yes, He deserves excellence. However, He However, the Lord Jesus did say to His
focuses on the smallest things we do for disciples, “I appoint unto you a kingdom,
others, not the big showy things. He said, as my Father hath appointed unto me;
“Whosoever shall give to drink unto one That ye may eat and drink at my table
of these little ones a cup of cold water only in my kingdom” (Luk 22:29-30). Did our
in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto Lord not illustrate the kingdom as a “great
you, he shall in no wise lose his reward”
(Mat 10:42). Therefore, any small cup of supper” (Luk 14:16)? A meal is more than
water given to a little one (a young child food, though; it is a time of friendship,
or disciple) will be appreciated by heaven. fellowship and communication. What a
Therefore, excellence in hospitality is fitting image and description of our future
not determined by the magnificence of the when we will eternally sit with our Lord
meal, but by the motive of the meal maker. at His table and eat and drink with joy.
Jesus said, “Ye have done it unto me” (Mat In the end, our homework is obvious.
25:40). It brings no surprise, then, that Class dismissed.

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