The story of the good Samaritan is a wonderful illustration of hospitality. The Lord Jesus told of a man who began a trip to Jericho. While on his way, he “fell among thieves” (Luke 10:30) who robbed him, stripped him of his clothes, and wounded him. When they were finished, they left this man for dead. The Lord then told of some men who passed by but were unwilling to help the dying man. Finally, a Samaritan, a people not generally known for their friendship with the Jews, stopped to help. He saw the wounded, dying man and had compassion on him. The Samaritan took the man, “bound up his wounds . . . brought him to an inn, and took care of him” (Luke 10:34). Even when the Samaritan left, he provided additional monies to the inn keeper to insure that the injured man would be cared for as he finished his recovery. The good Samaritan man also assured the innkeeper that he would cover any additional funds necessary.
A shipwreck landed Paul and others on an island called Melita (Acts 28:1). The Bible says that those people of that land were barbarians. When a viper latched onto Paul’s arm, these barbarians assumed that this was judgment because of some crime he had committed (Acts 28:3-4). When Paul simply shook off the viper into the fire and remained unharmed, the people claimed that Paul must have been a god (Acts 28:6). Although these people were superstitious and ignorant concerning the truth, it appears that they had an understanding of hospitality. Because of the rain and cold, the native people kindled a fire and received Paul and those with him. In addition to this, a man named Publius received Paul and lodged him three days. The world should never consistently display more hospitality than Christians.
Today’s passage provides the qualifications for a widow before considering her for financial support by the church. Interestingly, several qualifications are strongly connected to her efforts involving hospitality. Did she lodge strangers? Did she wash the saints’ feet? Did she relieve the afflicted? These questions basically sum up whether or not the lady was “given to hospitality” (Romans 12:13). A woman who had given her life to others was counted worthy of receiving help from others once she was no longer able to support herself. She was to be held in high esteem if she had taken others in when they had no place to go, or washed the feet of other saints when they entered into her home, or relieved those around her who were afflicted.
All good motives for Christian service should be rooted in love. As believers, we have a God-given responsibility in the area of hospitality. Twice the Bible refers to being “given to hospitality” (Romans 12:13; 1 Timothy 3:2). The First Timothy passage specifically speaks of the qualifications of a bishop. However, God never intended for hospitality to be limited to church leadership. In fact, the passage in Romans identifies hospitality as a responsibility for all believers. To be “given to hospitality” means to be led by or under the control of hospitality. In other words, everything we do involving others should be motivated by the desire to be hospitable. Titus 1:8 takes hospitality a step further by declaring that a bishop must be “a lover of hospitality.” Christians should purpose to find joy spending time with others, sincerely desiring to strengthen and encourage them in some area of need.
On the surface, today’s passage does not offer a specific definition for the word hospitality, yet we are not left without clues. First of all, hospitality is something that is done “one to another.” This means that it is an action that should be done to other believers. It should also be done “without grudging.” Additional insight can be gleaned by considering hospitality’s root word, hospital. A basic definition for the word hospital involves a shelter for the needy or a place where the sick can recover. Thus, hospitality involves taking others in, even for a short time, to strengthen them in some area of need. Hospitality can be as simple as sharing a meal together or it may require more effort and time.
David was a man after the heart of God (1 Samuel 13:14; Acts 13:22). He loved the Lord and it repeatedly showed in his life. Even on the occasions when he failed the Lord, he repentantly sought the Lord. In fact, one of the greatest manifestations of David’s love for the Lord manifested itself in his love for the house of God. In our passage, David spoke of the overwhelming gladness he had when contemplating a trip to God’s house. He received great joy in knowing that it was there that he could meet and fellowship with God whom he so deeply loved. As born-again believers, we have many reasons why we should long to meet with the saints of God in worship. We too should rejoice when others say, “Let us go unto the house of the LORD.”
The word church is frequently and almost exclusively used to refer to the building where the saints meet. A careful study of the scripture reveals that the church actually consists of the people. However, this passage also teaches that there is a proper behaviour when and where the saints assemble. It is a holy time meant to be accompanied by sobriety. In fact, believers are instructed that everything is to be done “decently and in order” (1 Corinthians 14:40). As we approach the time of preaching or instruction, we should be ready to hear and slow to speak (Ecclesiastes 5:1-3). During the invitation, as the Lord moves in our hearts to repent and do right, we should pay [keep] what we vow [promise] (Ecclesiastes 5:4-7). Always keep in mind that the house of God is the pillar and ground of the truth and we should treat it as such.
Nothing testifies more to the regrets of missed blessings than Thomas’s absence when the risen Saviour met with the disciples. Of all the times to forsake a meeting of believers, Thomas will be known for missing this meeting until the Lord comes. The Bible does not disclose why he was not with the other believers, but we do know what special event he missed – the presence of the risen Lord. Although the Lord Jesus will not visibly or physically show up in our church services, missing a service could cause us to miss His presence in a very special way. For instance, a lost sinner could get saved, or a brother or sister who had wandered from the Lord could find repentance. Maybe something for which you have faithfully prayed was to be answered during the service. Regardless of what might take place, missing the service will mean missing wonderful blessings, some of which can never be recovered. The one service you take for granted could be the very one that God meant to be most special for you.
Each week, hopefully several times a week, a body of like-minded believers to which you belong assembles for the purpose of worshipping and glorifying God. According to scripture, we are not to forsake this assembling of believers. In fact, we are to gather more frequently as we see the coming of the Lord drawing nigh. In a day when more churches are cancelling Sunday evening and midweek services, Bible-believing Christians ought to counteract the trend by finding ways to assemble with other believers more frequently. Early believers assembled on a daily basis (Acts 2:46). Maybe this is less convenient during our day and time; but nonetheless, we certainly should be careful not to forsake the times already appointed for assembling together. Determine to be in your place the next time the saints assemble.
In His earthly ministry, the Lord Jesus Christ perfectly fulfilled the will of His Father. Today’s passage calls attention to one of the areas in which He accomplished that will. It was the Saviour’s custom (or habitual habit) to locate and attend the local synagogue on the Sabbath day. What purpose did this custom serve? [The incarnate Son of God had no need of the fellowship and spiritual blessings derived from attending places of worship, yet His faithfulness to do so clearly testifies to the importance of faithful church attendance for those who know the Lord.] For the nation of Israel, the Sabbath or seventh day of the week served as the most important day. Christians in the New Testament meet weekly on the Lord’s Day or the first day of the week (Acts 20:7), yet the application of assembling together remains constant. Unless providentially hindered or physically confined, there should never be any question where the Christian will be at church time. Unlike the Saviour, we need the fellowship of God’s people along with the spiritual admonitions received from faithful church attendance.
