Day 2: Seeing and Serving Others

Community is not about perfection; it’s about people. Jesus didn’t invite the twelve disciples to a massive party to show off his home or try to win them over by buying them lavish gifts. He did bring five thousand of his closest friends to a perfectly constructed farmhouse table. He appealed to the inmost reality of people, ensuring that they felt seen. So when we are sitting around our table—whether it’s the dining room table, the coffee table, or maybe a table at a local restaurant—we can show up for our people and increase their faith through the rhythm of hospitality. We can show those sitting across from us that we see them by listening to what’s on their hearts and sharing how God has shown up for us during our own storms, revisiting his providence and sitting in his miracles.

When Jesus sought out the twelve, he didn’t require a certain social status or education level. He showed them divine hospitality by asking them to come hang out. Imagine how you would feel today if someone said, “Hey, I’d love to hang out with you. Want to grab some coffee this weekend?” You would most likely be affirmed and excited that someone desired to meet with you. It’s encouraging to know you have been selected.

Throughout Scripture God instructs us on how to show hospitality by giving us examples. The best part is that he didn’t rely on the Scriptures to show us how to be hospitable and invite people in; he came to earth, embodied a human, and gave us tangible experiences to learn from. Just like it says in Hebrews 10:24–26, “Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near” (NLT).

True community can be found in pursuing this hope-filled, kingdom-focused hospitality day in and day out, not neglecting the discipline of serving others because we aren’t sure we are good enough. Serving others doesn’t focus on the perfection of people but dwells on seeing them as created in the image of God.

Prayer

Father, thank you for showing us what biblical hospitality looks like. Please be with me as I seek opportunities to serve and encourage others. Amen.