Jesus loves me. I know this because He shares real hospitality with me. Jesus reminds his disciples of the cruel death He will suffer before rising from the dead. They move west to Capernaum and the disciples are arguing with one another about who was in first place in their group.
Jesus says, “So you want first place? Then take the last place. Be the servant of all.” He puts a little child before them, then takes the child in His arms, “Whoever receives a child with this kind of hospitality, that person is hospitable to me and to the one who sent me.”
Jesus wants everyone to be hospitable in a nurturing community where happy conversations give pleasure, and lovingly prepared food is shared – where we share stories that open doors to areas of our life that we didn’t know were there, or that had become all too familiar. Maybe we obeyed hate mongers who say that we are out-of-bounds to one another.
Jesus expects more than the traditional Jewish “derech eretz,” (the way of the land). Derech eretz was translated as xenia (the Greek laws of hospitality) and later as part of the Roman Pax Romana and the French discretion and rules of etiquette. Cotillion classes teach decency and decorum, good manners and common courtesy. But Jesus looks to the heart where God is welcome, because we welcome and receive each other like little children in our arms.
Jesus sidesteps the “way of the land” disputes that his disciples were arguing about. They wanted rights and claimed position in society to rule, but Jesus wants genuine leader/servant hospitality to govern our lives that makes room for Daddy and Daddy’s children.
Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me” (Revelation 3:20). But when Jesus, our King of kings and Lord of lords, came to earth, the Bible tells us that in the city of Bethlehem, "There was no place for [Him]" (Luke 2:7).
When Jesus Christ comes to us, is there room for him? Many false gods and worldly pursuits can consume our time and energy and leave no place for God.
My property law professor taught me that, “You can’t give away what you don’t have.” That includes space for Jesus Christ in your life. We welcome Jesus Christ into our lives by being willing to let go of worldly things -- the things that have become our gods. Then each of us may tell God, "My heart is open. Come and live with me."
JESUS LOVES ME THIS I KNOW.
Garrison Keillor thinks that “What keeps our faith cheerful is the extreme persistence of gentleness and humor. Gentleness is everywhere in daily life, a sign that faith rules through ordinary things: through cooking and small talk, through storytelling, making love, fishing, tending animals and sweet corn and flowers, through sports, music and books, raising kids—all the places where the gravy soaks in and the grace shows through. Even in a time of elephantine vanity and greed, one never has to look far to see the campfires of gentle people. If we had no other purpose in life, it would be good enough to simply take care of them . . .” (From We Are Still Married, 217).
Paul asked in verse 22 of his letter to Philemon, "Prepare a guest room for me, because I hope to be restored to you in answer to your prayers." This gives us a glimpse of the δέχομαι (dechomai) that Jesus expects us to share.
In August of 1968 I was driving to court Annemarie in Fort Lauderdale at the close of summer classes at Stetson University in De Land, Florida. Half way of the 4 hour drive my 1959 Ford Fairlane blew a piston. In the middle of a Friday night one of the few vehicles on the road was a wrecker from the nearby service plaza. The two brothers that picked me up offered to repair the engine for the measly $25 cash I had with me.
I had no credit cards, but lots of misgivings with few options. Those brothers prayed with me that God would provide the salvage parts so they could do the work. The next day they not only had replaced the piston and tuned the engine; they let me sleep on their couch and fed me. That difficulty had turned into a wonderful experience of hospitality.
Hospitality can be a witness for God. After Paul brought Philemon to Christ, Philemon opened his home as a meeting place and a place for Paul to stay. Just like these brothers on the Florida Turnpike, Philemon was ready to look after Paul’s need. We can welcome those in need in similar ways. Doing this requires more than just a smile and a quick handshake.
JESUS LOVES ME THIS I KNOW.
Jesus said, "Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me” (Matthew 18:5). Grandma Canida understood that verse very well. All though she couldn’t read or even sign her name with more that an “X” she had raised 7 sons and 7 daughters to adulthood – loosing 6 at birth.
When my family gathered the extended family in Haleyville, Alabama for a holiday dinner, she would say, "Children eat first." And we knew that Grandma loved us and gave us true hospitality from the heart.
Grandma explained the reason for giving us first helpings was because as a child she had to always eat last and sometimes left the table hungry. She wanted to make sure that children would have enough to eat.
Many of you care about poor children in today's world. You contribute generously to hunger relief and to charitable organizations. You give attention to our children at the Hunt Learning Center and those who visit us. Where God rules, children are welcomed and honored. Let us continue to create space for children in our homes and communities.
JESUS LOVES ME THIS I KNOW.
Romans 15:7 says, “Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.”
Tom Carrico moved his wife and 4 small children to a new city in Virginia. They were anxious, insecure, and in search of a church home. He and his wife grew up in different Christian traditions, and during their 15 years of marriage they had never joined a church together. They saw this move as an opportunity to start a new relationship with God, with each other, and with their children. They visited several churches, always apprehensive that their children would be disruptive to the congregation during the worship service.
On one occasion an elderly member tapped Tom’s wife on the shoulder after the Sunday worship service. They expected chastisement for their children's behavior, but were shocked to hear her say, "I know how hard it is to get four young children to church. I'm proud of you, and I'm glad that you're here."
Because of the comfort and encouragement of that thoughtful church member's greeting, they returned and later joined that church. Since then they have become very active in their new church home, and it has become a vital part of their family's life. The people of their church have shown them what it means to include people as Jesus did.
JESUS LOVES ME THIS I KNOW.
Whoever welcomes this little child in Jesus’ name welcomes Him (Luke 9:48).
Schoolteachers minister to "the least of these": children. But children were very important in Jesus' ministry. He healed children and included them in his life. In today’s passage he used them to teach his followers that to receive a child is to receive Him and His Father. The least among us, including children are actually the greatest.
Public school teachers in graded schools cannot legally teach their students about God, but they can include moral lessons in their curriculum. Each one of us can teach by example and model Christian discipleship. We can exemplify good behavior.
It’s not easy to accept every child and adult as he or she comes to us. But with the help and guidance of the Holy Spirit and the example of Jesus, you can try every day to make each person feel special. Let’s teach each other how to accept one another – how to share the hospitality and grace of Jesus Christ every day.
Dear Heavenly Father, help us to be aware of the needs of others and to offer Your hospitality to those around us. Help us to extend hospitality, so as to welcome Christ. Help us to be alert to the needs of others. Father, give us compassion to care for poor and hungry children. Help us to welcome all who came to us with true hospitality - even in our small talk so that Jesus in us draws others into our community of faith here at Dexter.
Take away our worldly ways of the land so that Jesus Christ has all the room. In His name, Amen.
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