Beloved, it is a faithful thing you do in all your efforts for these brothers, strangers as they are, who testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their journey in a manner worthy of God. (III John 5 ESV)
Fear Not… Then Be Hospitable
I am not fond of strangers. Unknown knockers at my door make me nervous. Fellow shoppers starting a conversation with me make me suspicious. I rarely answer telephone calls from unknown numbers.
And it is usually fear that keeps me to myself.
John writes to his friends, though, that hospitality is the correct response to strangers. John does not write that fear of others is sometimes justified, even though perhaps it is. John does not write that fear of others allows us to protect ourselves, even though perhaps it does. John does not write that fear of others is safe, although perhaps it is.
He commends his readers for simply being hospitable.
This is more than simply a command to do nice things. It is based in the gospel. We were strangers to God. Worse than strangers, we were His enemies. Worse than enemies we were betraying rebels, and often continue to be in our thoughts, words, and deeds.
Yet God, the hospitable One takes us into His home. (II Corinthians 5:1)
Yet Jesus, the hospitable One, prepares a home for us. (John 14:1,2)
Yet the Spirit, the hospitable one, makes US His home. (I Corinthians 3:16)
Remembering God’s hospitality, copy Him.
Fear not, then be hospitable.