Biblical Hospitality: Welcoming Others as Christ Welcomed Us
The idea of hospitality might bring to mind a beautiful table setting, a spotless home, and a perfectly planned out dinner menu, but biblical hospitality goes deeper. It’s not about impressing, it’s about inviting. The word hospitality comes from the combination of two words: “love” and “stranger.” Though we were once strangers and outsiders (I Peter 2:11), God made a place for us in His kingdom through the ultimate act of hospitality and love - sacrificing His Son for our benefit. Even now He’s preparing a heavenly home for us.
Romans 15:7 says: “Therefore, welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.” ESV
This verse gives a new perspective on how we view hospitality. We aren’t inviting people over because it is a nice thing to do. We are extending the same grace and welcome that Jesus gave to us.
Hospitality in the Bible
Throughout the Bible, God uses hospitality to fulfill His purposes and build community. It’s a thread that can be seen throughout the Old and New Testaments, showing us that welcoming others is not a suggestion, but a command.
Abraham and the Three Visitors (Genesis 18:1-8)
One of the earliest examples of hospitality in the Bible is when Abraham saw three men standing near his tent. Abraham doesn’t hesitate - he runs to greet them, bows and offers them respite. Unbeknownst to Abraham, he was entertaining messengers from God. What seemed like an ordinary act ended up carrying great significance.
The Widow of Zarephath (I Kings 17:8-16)
During a time of famine, God sent Elijah to a poor widow in Zarephath. She didn’t have much. She didn’t even have what he asked for, but she gave him what she had. It was enough for one last meal for herself and her son. She obeyed in faith and God miraculously provided for her and her supply never ran dry. Hospitality isn’t about abundance, it’s about obedience. Even in lean times, God will bless a generous heart.
Rahab Welcoming the Spies (Joshua 2)
Rahab was a Canaanite woman and an outsider to the Israelites, yet she hid two Israelite spies and provided them with safety. Her brave hospitality led her and her family to being spared when Jericho fell. She is later included in the hall of faith in Hebrews 11. True hospitality can sometimes require courage and risk. Rahab’s boldness reminds us that faith can come with a cost, but God is faithful to deliver us (2 Thess. 3:3).
These examples aren’t focused on perfection or abundance. They were acts of hospitable obedience, faith and love.
Jesus: The Ultimate Host
Jesus didn’t wait for the perfect moment or the perfect setting. He welcomed people where they were: he welcomed children to him (Matthew 19:13-15), he washed His disciples’ feet, an act that was reserved for the lowest servant (John 13:1-17) and He extended kindness to the marginalized (Mark 1:40-45). Jesus wasn't concerned with social norms or status. He was concerned about the people and welcomed others in a way that helped them see their own worth.
How Do We Welcome Like Jesus?
Hospitality is about authenticity, not performance. True hospitality is showing up with a genuine heart, offering a place for people to be seen, known, loved and cared for. Jesus modeled this beautifully. He welcomed the messy, broken, and overlooked and offered real connection over perfection. His interactions were compassionate and sincere, reminding us that authentic hospitality is less about what we offer and more about how we offer it. When we invite others with open hearts, we reflect the same grace-filled welcome that Jesus extends to us.
So let’s not wait for the perfect moment. We can be the one who opens the door, pulls out another chair and says, “you’re welcome here” because Christ welcomed us first.
This is part one of a four-part series on hospitality. Throughout the series, we will explore how hospitality is more than opening our homes. Today we laid the foundation on what it means to welcome others as Jesus welcomes us. In part two, we dive deeper into what it looks like to serve with a Christlike attitude. Stay tuned as we continue this journey toward a more intentional, faith-filled understanding of hospitality.
Kesa Ennen is an accomplished executive assistant at Prep Communications where she excels in providing high-level administrative support and streamlining operations. Kesa joined Prep after work in health care settings and serving in executive support roles with Allobee, The Riveter, and designer Rebecca Minkoff. Kesa holds a BBA from Stephen F. Austin State University and an MBA from LeTourneau University. She and her husband are raising three kids in the Lone Star State.
