Hospitality: the pillar of Christian works

In the midst of a religious setting based on publicity and prestige, Jesus, a first century Jewish prophet, protested. He had the audacity to claim that HE was the Son of God and that it was the criteria that He set up that was important. To explain His criteria Jesus sets up this scene of immense magnitude; all of heaven is watching and waiting before His throne at the end of the ages. He brings all humanity before them and judges them according to their deeds. He looks at those who fed the hungry, gave drink to those who were thirsty, invited strangers in, clothed the naked, visited the sick and imprisoned and invites them to join Him in everlasting glory. He looks at those who did not do these things and condemns them to eternal death. Then Jesus says to all humanity “truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of mine, even to the least of them, you did it to me.” (Matt. 25:40. NAS 95) Jesus takes the established religious system of His day and flips it onto its head. It is not about your religious service before God that matters, it is what you have done to the least of. Jesus clearly states that it is how one engages humanity around them that matters.

So here we are, 2009, reading this text. What does this mean for us? How do we apply this story in the midst of society, which so often claims to have evolved so far from the times of Jesus Christ? How are we bound to these words? The church of Jesus Christ through its first 1700 years found a way to truly embody the criteria to which Christ has laid out. It is simple, yet incredibly profound; it is hospitality. Hospitality is the embodiment of what Jesus said when He told the Pharisees that the second greatest commandment was to love your neighbor as yourself. The leaders then replies by asking Jesus who his neighbor was, which Jesus replied with a story. A Jewish man went on a journey and was attacked by thieves, which left him for dead. A priest and a Levite pass by him and do nothing while a Samaritan man (a sworn enemy of Jews) stops and saves his life. He brings him to an inn and pays for his stay; still not finished with his generosity, the Samaritan man tells the owner of the inn that when he returns, he will pay the outstanding bill. Jesus then asks the young leader which one showed mercy to the injured traveler; the leader replied that it was the Samaritan. Jesus then said to him, “go and do the same.” (Luke 10:36) If we believe what the Genesis writer wrote, that we are created in the image of God, why would we not help those in need? Yet, the early church writers went even farther; Saint Jerome implored the early church to “welcome the poor and strangers to your homely board, that with them Christ may be your guest.”[1] The early church thought that when you invited strangers into your home, you might be inviting the very Lord Jesus Christ Himself. This came out of the tradition that believed that when the Patriarch Abraham served and showed hospitality to the three travelers that he was actually entertaining the Holy Trinity. (Genesis 18) As the Hebrew writer said “do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angles without knowing it.” (Hebrews 13:2)

Yet what does hospitality look like for a 21st century Christian? It is not the kind you get at your local Howard Johnson. Hospitality is “welcoming strangers into a home and offering them food, shelter, and protection”[2] and many in the early church felt that it was the “pillar on which all morality rested; it encompassed the good.”[3] Gregory of Nyssa said, “the stranger, those who are naked, without food, infirm and imprisoned are the ones the Gospel intends for you. The wander and naked, and ill person without necessities stand in need by reason of their hardships. A homeless person or one with no work lacks life’s necessities; they are nevertheless imprisoned by illness. You have the fullness of the commandments with regard to these persons, so lend the Lord everything you have by showing mercy.”[4] Those who are in need and those who cannot repay are the ones Christ and the early church has commanded us to go to. The beauty of it is that any of us can do it. This does not imply starting a soup kitchen or opening a thrift store, it implies that we open our home to those who need. It implies taking the words of Christ seriously and helping others simply on the basis that they are just that, others. I think this is what Paul meant when he told the Philippian church to “not look our for your own personal interests, but for the interests of others.” (Phil 2:4, my own translation.) I think hospitality in the 21st century is to have an open door policy and to have a preverbal sign in the yard that says “vacant.”

“The practice of hospitality forces abstract commitments to loving the neighbor, stranger, and enemy into practical and personal expressions of respect and care for actual neighbors, strangers, and enemies.”[5] In a single phrase, showing hospitality to others is being “Jesus with skin on.” Hospitality is how we engage with the “least of these” and it is how we show the world a risen Christ; we embody Christ and we welcome Him into our lives. Hospitality is the way in which we join at the great feast of the past (tradition), we engage in the great feast of the present (practice) and we engage in the feast at the marriage supper of the Lamb (the not yet). So I encourage you, nay, I exhort you, “since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run the race set before us” (Heb 12:1); the race that has open hearts, open minds, and open homes. Amen.

[1] St. Jerome, Letter 52. And You Welcomed Me: A sourcebook on Hospitality in Early Christianity. Edited by Amy Oden. Abingdon Press: Nashville, 67.

[2] Pohl, Christine. Making Room: Recovering Hospitality as a Christian tradition. William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company: Grand Rapids, MI. 4.

[3] Pohl, Christine. Making Room: Recovering Hospitality as a Christian tradition. William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company: Grand Rapids, MI. 5.

[4] Gregory of Nyssa. Homily: as you did it to one of these, you did it to me. And You Welcomed Me: A sourcebook on Hospitality in Early Christianity. Edited by Amy Oden. Abingdon Press: Nashville, 59.

[5] Pohl, Christine. Making Room: Recovering Hospitality as a Christian tradition. William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company: Grand Rapids, MI. 75.

Come and take Your place in the center of my heart.

I have had a rough past week. Missed expectations are some of the most difficult things to deal with. Why is it that we set our sights on something so quick and so fierce? It is my personality that when i find something i want, i will go after it until i acquire it. There are not that many things that come into my life like this, for i have curbed my appetite to accommodate my personality. The hardest things i have found in my life are when the things i desire are just not able to be fully realized. No matter how hard i try or what i do, there is no way i can make this happen. I set my expectation so high, only to have it ultimately crushed. it does not happen that often, but when it does it sends me into a tailspin. The gnawing in my stomach only leaves me for moments at a time. The time i remember the most vivid was when i realized I had to leave my church i served at 4 years and had attended for 18. I wanted it to work and i wanted to stay so ad, yet i knew the Lord was calling me on. There was nothing could do to make it better or make it work, for the Lord had clearly spoken. Well, i find myself in that place of missed expectation again. It doesn't get better with experience... Then I hear that still small voice saying that only He can fill the whole in my heart. It doesn't make it easier or even take the pain away, but reminds me that He is still there. The process sucks, but He has had me the whole time and He will see me through it. Missed expectations can be life's biggest signs pointing to God's ultimate provision; i just need to follow the sign.

Joshua

New layout

I changed everything up, but i am just not sure what i feel about it. I may just start from scratch with name and all. I like the name "restoring Eden" or maybe "the ever advancing Kingdom". i am just not sure yet.

joshua

The Sound Man's Life

As i sit in Estes Chapel i am reflecting on the role of the sound man in worship. He is the person no one ever sees except when they make a mistake or worse, when they have not done anything. They are usually the first person in the room and normally the last person to leave. it seems that the times when they participate in the services is few and far between, yet they know that their father is smiling down on them and even they may not be "entering in", they are serving the body far more than anyone ever thinks. I like to think that when the Lord comes in glory, they will be the ones turning up the volume knob so all of heaven and earth will be able to hear it. they will be the announcers of the Lord. though the job is less than flattering here on earth, it will all be worth it someday. so here is to a sound man who needs to go because he is facilitating worship in about three minutes amen and be blessed
joshua

this is reality You are coming to reign on the earth, and the increase of Your government will know no end!

All in a nights work or a tale of three places or "my kind of people"

So, i feel this was too pointed, so i took it down. Please stop by again sometime and i will have something for you to actually read. blessings,
Joshua

This is reality, You are coming to reign on the earth, and the increase of Your government will know no end!

Still Coming

The blog is still coming, don't worry.
Joshua

Israel and the rest of the year

I will be posting pictures and details from my trip very soon. the plan is also to start using this to express what i am learning from God, school, and life. so, hopefully more to come.....
joshua

this is reality You are coming to reign on the earth, and the increase of Your government will know no end!

History in the making

Watching history in the making is pretty crazy. This day will go down in as a day of great change for the African-American community. I pray that i can be followed up with real change. I pray that the Lord grips our Presidents heart for the unborn. I pray he changes the things he said he will change. I hope education is enhanced as well as health care. I pray we find a way for peace in the middle east. I pray that our president embraces the simple way of our Lord and lives up to His standards. I will pray and be a voice to our new president.
joshua


this is reality, You are coming to reign on the earth, and the increase of Your government will know no end!

Questions

It seems that every time God answers a question, the answer raises about 5 more questions. Is this an endless cycle of the unknown? i think am still frustrated at God. I guess i can pray; i think thats what He wants anyway?
joshua

this is reality You are coming to reign on the earth, and the increase of Your government will know no end!

girls make boys do crazy things.

So there is this girl a friend of mine and i are interested in getting to know. So we scheme how we can get to know her, and he quickly gets the upper hand. this puts me into a position of catch up. this puts me into a pissy mood. i do not allow myself to stay in this mood for more than 12 hours and i am better. yet, i am still left with this idea that i am in a competition to "win" this girl over. this thought process goes on for about another 24 hours until this afternoon, the spirit speaks so softly to me and reminds me of something He showed me last year. That i do not need to strive for a relationship. i am not in a competition. He will bring my future wife into my life, i just need to trust that He will bring it about. I had forgot that the past couple days. i thank God that He is patient with me. All i need to do is act when He brings her into my life. so, i apologized to my brother and put my faith in the God who already has the perfect girl picked out. i am 24 years old and girls still make me do crazy things.... haha

joshua

this is reality You are coming to reign on the earth, and the increase of Your government will know no end!

The Elections

I can hear the sound of Rain coming to America again.
more to come
Joshua

this is reality You are coming to reign on the earth, and the increase of Your government will know no end!

The Secret Things Revealed

I had a strong feeling from the Lord last night that He wants to uncover secret things in our community. That is a scary thought. I have been asking the Lord through this fast to purify me and uncover any secret sin. I desire the Lord to rebuke me and purify me in this age, not the next. i want to be found ready and faithful in that day. So i say, Lord, search me and know my heart, try me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting. "a holy man is an awful weapon in the hands of God."
joshua

this is reality You are coming to reign on the earth, and the increase of Your government will know no end!

The Fast

I am glad no one really reads this blog because then i can write things i really don't want people to read. with that in mind, i am going to be going on an extended fast. it starts on the 23rd of September and ends November 2nd. I will be doing a liquid fast. the purpose of the fast is primarily for America to turn back to God, specifically California. along with that, it is for the elections and for the unborn. i am also fasting for my niece Jade's healing, revival to hit Wilmore, KY, and for personal renewal and holiness. I will be joining thousands who will be fasting all around the country and my roommate Ryan will also be doing a media fast. I consecrate my heart to the Lord. Father God, I give myself to You, for the next forty days and for the rest of my life. God end abortion, save marriage and send revival to America! Lord, touch Wilmore with Your power and Glory, blowing away religion and academics, ushering in a new era of the Spirit and Presence of God. I also ask that You would heal my niece and that You set me apart in an even greater way for Your use; breaking away habitual sin and propelling me towards greater depths in You. i pray all this in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Spirit, Amen.

joshua

this is reality You are coming to reign on the earth, and the increase of Your government will know no end!

Dry

I feel very dry these days. i feel like if someone blew to hard, i would blow away. I need the Spirit to prophecy unto my dry bones and allow me to live. Can these dry bones live? You alone know lord!

joshua

Live

"In Him we live and move and have our very being." that has been the theme for verse for the youth works summer and has also been kinda a personal mantra for me this summer. i found myself relying on my own abilities, my own hard work, and my own ambitions to get me through the summer. yet, through the wisdom of a good leader and a friend, i was able to see that i was relying on the arm of the flesh and i was striving. i was not allowing ministry to flow out of an abundance of what the Lord was doing in and through me. i was not serving under the understanding that no matter the outcome, my ministry was blessed by God and that i was His dearly beloved. i was working to please man and not God. this led me to work out of fear and reservation. i would not invest my life into adults, students, and community members because i was afraid that they would reject me or not find me credible. to compensate for this, i would strive. God is faithful though, and He caused me to realize that i must serve out of the abundance of His love for me and the time i spend in personal devotion.
it is through that abundant overflow i find true life and i am able to give true life. so many times we run ministries on empty, and we only produce flesh. flesh only produces death. it is my pursuit to truly live, move and have my being in Him.

joshua

this is reality You are coming to reign on the earth, and the increase of Your government will know no end!

The Finish Line is in sight

I am almost done with the Youth Works summer. It has been a journey to say the least. I feel like i have been under a gigantic flashlight all summer. Everywhere i go i am under inspection. Maybe thats why i got sent to Daytona Beach, because God knew i needed a lot of light in my life. He has showed me many things and i know that this was a very important step in my healing. God is so good to me. I had a leader who displayed Christ to me in every area for the first time in my life this summer. she called me out in one summer more than any leader i have ever had. it was hard and good at the same time.
i am going back to Wilmore a little wounded, but the wounds were not inflected by the summer, they were just wounds that i had long ago band-aided up and the band-aids were just ripped off. this will allow me to actually be honest and open and to allow them to heal. i realized that i strive and maintain control in every area of my life. i have still not settled in my heart whether i can trust God and if He really loves me. i always try to prove myself instead of allowing the Spirit to be my offense and my defense.
I desire to live by the Spirit and if i do this, i will not walk according to the flesh! thank you Jesus for your healing. this time around i am not going to hide the wounds, i am going to allow the SON to heal them and then the scars will be my testimony of His grace.
thanks be to God who casues us to stand,
joshua
this is reality You are coming to reign on the earth, and the increase of Your government will know no end!

Destructive patterns

I have so much to process and write about, but this is what clouds my thoughts. It will destroy me.
joshua

First Week's

I finished my first week as site director of the Daytona Beach site for Youth Works. It was busy to say the least. I worked roughly a hundred hours in about 5 and half days. I realized even more that i don't want to do ministry as so many do it. I must connect to God. I must do everything out of the overflow of my personal relationship with God. I was trying to take a nap after the students left today and i couldn't help but just sob at the realization that He truly is returning to make all things right and that i need Him to awaken love in me and unlock my heart so i can feel. His leadership is trustworthy. I can barely right this without weeping at the thought of His rule and how i desire to be alive in Him. He is the first and the last, how dare i do His work outside of His empowerment and His outflow. He is coming again and i am preparing the way before Him. i cant do the whole busy ministry thing. i must have time to be with Him. a person that has the touch of God on their life does more for the kingdom in 5 minutes than someone does in a life time without the touch of God. Leonard Ravenhill used to say that if a man were to be touched by God for just one hour the world would never be the same again. i think i now truly believe that. i want to be that man. i would rather have just one of hour of really being used by God than a life time of being half used. This must come out of the place of intimacy through prayer. "He's alive, now I'm alive!"

joshua

this is reality You are coming to reign on the earth, and the increase of Your government will know no end!

Strengthening my inner man

The Prayer of Paul.
"For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family[a] in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."

This has been my anthem here at Youth Works this summer. At the beginning of my time doing ministry again, i found myself doing it entirely out of human effort. i began to do ministry the same exact way that i had done in the past, the exact way that i swore i would never do again. i was doing ministry apart from the presence of God. it wasn't that it was failing, it wasn't that it was even going just OK, but i knew in my heart that I was doing it, not the Lord through me. i will never do ministry again that way. i must be in constant connection with the Father. the Lord then brought me to this passage in the book of Ephesians. Paul was imploring the church of Ephesus to allow God to strengthen their inner man. he was not praying that they would be able to "do" the ministry, he was praying that they would be able to understand the love of Christ and through that love, which was strengthened by the Spirit, God would be able to do more than they could ask or think. It was God doing the strengthening, and God doing the more. the whole thing was God. He started, He sustained, He completed. I desire to do ministry that gives glory to know man. I want to decrease that He may increase. amen and amen
Joshua

This is reality You are coming to reign on the earth, and the increase of Your government will know no end!

Incessant Mercy

God seems to bless me even when i do not deserve it. he never ceases to amaze me. he lavishly pours out His love and intensely draws me into His loving embrace. Who is this God we serve? Why does He love me? Love so amazing so divine!