Christians must re-discover hospitality

The growing American trend of immediate animosity to those we disagree with is not Christian.

The contemporary internet need for “gotcha moments” and competition for media attention has turned American society into one that has abandoned civility for immediate confrontation and assertions of one’s own superior opinions. Our reason to interact with others has become to accomplish dominance not to find means of mutual benefit. This animosity behavior is not confined to those of one political alliance or religious denomination. We only want to talk to those that agree with us.

The Abrahamic faiths were born out of Middle East culture based on hospitality. On my first visit to the Middle East in the early 2000s as a neurosurgical consultant to a military hospital in Abu Dhabi I was unaware of their culture. Being the typical American as soon as I arrived and taken a quick look at the site I went to the commanding general’s office. After a brief introduction I immediately tried to begin a long dialogue on what we could accomplish. He listened for about five minutes and then held up his hand. He called to his secretary to bring in some tea (called chai in the Middle East) as well as some bicolored dates which I learned was a great delicacy. He explained that the Arab culture was always first to extend hospitality to a newcomer. Spend some time to get to know him before getting into any decisions or planning. This experience forever changed me.

Jesus was raised with the Hebrew culture of hospitality. There are numerous examples of hospitality in the Old Testament book of Leviticus where we are told to treat foreign immigrates the same as those of our tribe. Elijah offers a meal to the army sent to kill him in Kings.

Jesus magnifies this concept in his ministry telling us to give the ultimate hospitality which is to love not only your neighbors but also your enemies. He sought out the rejected, the misunderstood, the banished and showed them love. Whether he was discussing beliefs with the Sanhedrin or the Romans he did not begin an interaction with animosity. He was a patient teacher who always sought to create relationships in his interactions not to create an aggressive dominance. Participating in the sacrament of communion was a natural consequence of earlier traditions of sharing a meal going all the way back to Melchizedek, Priest and King of Salem holding a feast with Abraham to thank God for guiding them to a military victory which assured the survival of the fledgling Hebrews against their enemies.

When we who claim to be Christians but do not act like Christians we act against not just our own interest but against God’s people and his creation. When we fail to show hospitality we are shutting off our connection to the guidance of the Holy Spirit and acting against God’s will.