The Hospitable Leader DevotionalSample

Jesus consistently shattered expectations and cultural norms in his leadership style. The story of Martha and Mary, as we read today, makes the point that we should sit at the feet of Jesus. But it says so much more than that. Some theologians believe that the tension occurring between Mary and Martha wasn’t simply the fact that Martha was doing all of the work. It was the fact that Mary was sitting at the feet of Jesus, which was a place reserved for male students of the teacher. This concept (sitting at someone’s feet) directly indicated that a person was a student of someone else, and in the first-century context they were in, women were certainly not expected, and normally not allowed, to carry on that type of relationship with a male teacher. Thus, sub-textually we see not only tension of dispersion of chores, but cultural tension boiling below the surface, where Mary is perceived as acting inappropriately. Jesus, however, rebuffs Martha’s reproach, and says Mary is in fact doing the right thing.

Here we not only see the drama between Mary and Martha, but the surprise that Jesus would even allow a woman to sit at his feet. As Terry Smith says in The Hospitable Leader, “Jesus not only welcomed women, he also invited them to join His leadership team.… Women played a role in Jesus’ ministry never seen until His time.” They are even entrusted with the news that the tomb is empty and that Christ has risen from the dead.

Christ, in a unique way, brought people under his leadership that were forever neglected. He brought tax collectors, the poor, homeless, Jews, Greeks, slaves, rich, businessmen and women, soldiers, and more. Imagine the level of influence Jesus garnered by expanding his hospitable scope to include those who were not considered a part of his base constituency. Whereas leaders frequently appeal and pander to those who are easy “gets,” or those who they know already agree with them, Jesus blew down the walls of segmentation and opened himself to whoever was willing to listen and subsequently follow. 

When we consider our potential areas of influence and don’t speak to those outside of our predictable base, then we immediately put a ceiling on how much influence we can have. Surely, there will be some that reject us, but that shouldn’t stop us from inviting them in. Christ had traitors in his midst (and he knew it), yet he offered them the fullness of life that could come through him. If we’re confident in ourselves and the mission God has given us, we can be confident in the face of rejection, and confident enough to trust that God will bless us when we’re ready to welcome in those who may be unlikely fellowship candidates.