Zacchaeus type hospitality

Today's RMMR passage reminded me of our host family this past weekend. Tim had been asked to speak at the SG church in Reading, PA and we needed a place to stay Saturday night. As is the case at times, the timing was not good for those that would normally open their homes for guest speakers. So it fell to Jerry and Debbie.

Jerry and Debbie had never had anyone stay in their home before. They were nervous but willing. When we arrived they warmly greeted us, showed us our room and proceeded to serve us with eagerness. They had asked ahead of time what were some things we like for snacks and sure enough it was all there.

It wasn't until later that evening Jerry told us he had never had anyone in his home before. He said, "I sort of feel like Zacchaeus." That made me smile. This man was neither small, nor a cheat, and we were not Jesus. But I knew what he meant.

When Jesus saw Zacchaeus up in the tree, Jesus told him "I must stay at your house today." When Zacchaeus heard that, "he hurried and came down and received him joyfully" (Luke 19:1-10, emphasis added). Zacchaeus probably thought Jesus didn't know he existed, so when Jesus stopped by that tree, looked up and spoke to Zacchaeus, it must have come as a complete surprise. Zacchaeus didn't argue. He responded with quick and joyfilled obedience.

This is how Jerry and Debbie were like Zacchaeus. Though inexperienced at hospitality, and though they hadn't actually volunteered to do it, when asked, they consented. Though nervous, they stepped out in faith toward God, and provided us with rest and refreshment, and I think (at least from everything they said and did) they were genuinely blessed themselves.

"Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality" (Romans 12:13).

"...and the one who receives a righteous person because he is a righteous person will receive a righteous person's reward. And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward" (Matthew 10:41,42).

How are you doing in the area of hospitality? Zacchaeus, the verses above, and the message of the Gospel is motivation enough for us all to scramble to open our doors and our refrigerators.