Have you ever considered that Hosts have the privilege of sending Missionaries? This might sound foreign, as Missionaries are sent forth by God through the church. But through hosting, we have the honor of receiving and sending. I liken it to being a pit stop in a long endurance race and having the privilege of receiving a weary runner, refreshing them, and then sending them back out into the next leg of their journey.
Wow! If we then have the opportunity to both receive and send missionaries through hosting, how can we do that in a way that honors God? Let’s dive into the letter of 3 John and take a look.
Strangers Becoming Family
“It gave me great joy when some believers came and testified about your faithfulness to the truth, telling how you continue to walk in it. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers and sisters, even though they are strangers to you.” 3 John 1:3-5
The apostle John first commends Gaius (the recipient of this letter) that believers came to John and shared how Gaius was faithful to the truth and continued to walk in it. It’s interesting that in the very next verse John attaches hospitality to this statement of walking in the truth. To John, showing hospitality to other believers is synonymous with walking in the truth. It may surprise us that he attaches such a bold statement to hospitality, but looking at the commands from the Bible on hospitality, it shouldn’t.
Romans 12:13 – “Share with the Lord's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.”
1 Peter 4:9 – “Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.”
Hebrews 13:2 – “Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.”
John commends him for walking in truth by not only showing hospitality to brothers and sisters, but to those who were strangers to him. When most of us consider hospitality, we probably consider inviting those we already know, or those we want to know more into our home. These are people who we want to build our lives with, move into friendship with, people that we would usually feel comfortable being in our home and in our lives.
What about strangers?
Gaius hosted those whom he did not know, they were strangers to him, but they were family through Christ. He showed them great love and care, as he would his very own family. Jesus reinforces this view of family when He was questioned about His mother, “While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him. Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.” He replied to him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” Pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”
My mom and dad visit us every Christmastime. Our family loves this! It’s been a real blessing to spend time with them when they come. We want to make sure their time is special so we prepare the room and make sure we have some special treats for them. My mom is British so we must have her tea ready, along with 2% milk, while my dad enjoys sugar free creamer and coffee. We clear our calendar as best we can to make sure we are intentional with them and plan some special activities while here, like looking at Christmas lights while drinking hot cocoa in the car. These are all special, thoughtful areas of care we provide because we love them deeply. Our family so enjoys creating these special memories together!
God wants us to have that same level of care and thoughtfulness toward everyone we host, even those who are strangers to us…but family in Christ. In fact, here is a recent testimonial from a missionary family who stayed in one of ServantCARE’s Hospitality Homes.
“We entered the home as strangers and left as family. We felt the warmth and the love at all times. God exceeded our expectations choosing the perfect home, perfect family, and perfect location. We will be grateful forever.”
Sending Family with Honor
“They have told the church about your love. Please send them on their way in a manner that honors God.” 3 John 1:6
I remember visiting a friends’ house for lunch. We were just getting to know them and it was our first time over to their home. They hosted us so well. He introduced me to pour over coffee and the really fancy beverage coolers. They were so welcoming and hospitable. It was a great memory. After staying there several hours and exchanging God-stories, we started to get ready to leave. As we were saying our goodbyes, our hosts began packing a bag of goodies for us. There were treats, snacks, and drinks included. They really loaded us up and sent us on our way with excellence. It was like they couldn’t help themselves but to give. Through this act, we felt cared for.
I can’t help but imagine what we would do if we hosted Jesus? In the flesh. And He was getting ready to leave. What would we give Him for His next leg of the journey? I don’t think I could just let Him leave my house without giving Him something. And not just something, but the best of the something that I had…top shelf snacks, top shelf drinks from the fancy drink cooler, cold water, food for the road, gas money, who knows? I hope that it would feel like for Him that I couldn’t help myself but to give, like it did for us when we visited this family.
Please send them on their way in a manner that honors God. Another version puts it this way: “hospitality worthy of God Himself.”
This is what John tells Gaius. Don’t just say goodbye when they leave. Recognize that you’re sending them and do it in a manner worthy of God. Hospitality worthy of God Himself. How would one send Jesus if one hosted Him? Do that. That might sound intimidating, overwhelming, or weighty. But I believe it’s not meant to be a burden, but rather a joy and a blessing.
And it doesn’t have to always be connected to a financial or tangible gift. It could mean praying over them. What about anointing them with oil? Or speaking life over them? Or taking a moment to affirm them? What about writing notes for them to read on the road? Or maybe a simple hug? Or even standing in the driveway waving goodbye versus just closing the door?
Our family has a neat tradition we do at the end of hosting. When the family we hosted leaves, my wife and I stand and wave at the door, while our kids run alongside their vehicle down the street in the neighborhood. They smile big and wave the entire time while running to keep up, or even beat the car down the road. It’s simple, but I hope those who stay with us feel loved by this simple gesture of love when they leave.
There are so many creative ways to send those we host in a manner that honors God. In a manner worthy of God. Let’s look to the Lord to give us heavenly insight for how we can do this!
The Church's Responsibility to Host
“It was for the sake of the Name that they went out, receiving no help from the pagans. We ought therefore to show hospitality to such people so that we may work together for the truth.” 3 John 1:7-8
The messengers that Gaius hosted went out for the sake of the Name of Jesus, which meant they received no help, no support, no financial assistance or hospitality from unbelievers. It was the responsibility of the church to show hospitality to such people. And in doing so, they became co-workers with the messengers. They became co-laborers in the furtherance of the gospel, even though the hosts did not travel themselves. The Apostle John recognized this reality, and further encouraged Gaius as a reminder.
As believers, when we step into our responsibility of hosting those that are sent, we also get to step into partnering with them and become co-laborers in the work they are doing! How wonderful! That gives me great joy to know God credits my account for the labor they are doing all because I’ve hosted them.
How incredible is that!
I compare it to the running events on a track and field team. When we host, it’s like we become part of the 400m relay team. We may not be the fastest runner on the team, but what we do matters. If the team wins gold, it doesn’t matter what each runner’s individual time was, to get the gold you just have to be the fastest as a team, not the fastest runner. You may be thinking, really? All I’m doing is opening my doors, letting someone use my room, serving them food, and giving them a safe space for them to rest or process. It’s not a big deal. They are doing the real work.
It’s Significant
Remember, what you’re doing as a host matters. It’s significant to God. And to those you host.
Jesus said “Whoever welcomes a prophet as a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever welcomes a righteous person as a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward. And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.” The reward for hosting.
And for those that leave everything Jesus said “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—along with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life.” The reward for going.
What they do matters. What you do matters. We’re in a race together.
Let’s continue stepping into our responsibility with joy. Let’s continue receiving and sending guests with honor. Let’s continue walking together in the truth.
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Reflection:
Do you think there is hesitancy in the world today for believers to host other believers they don’t know? What factors do you believe contribute to this?
Were you aware that when guests leave, hosts are sending them? In what way is God leading you to send those you host in a manner worthy of God?
