The Shunamite Woman: Cultivating a Heart of HospitalitySample

Hospitality: A Living Reminder of the Gospel Message

When we view hospitality as a posture of the heart, it takes the pressure off. We are not bound by the size of our home, physical possessions, or culinary skills because true Biblical hospitality can be practiced wherever we are.

Interestingly, according to Bible scholars, an Old Testament custom was that travelers, like the prophet Elisha, would arrive at the city gate and await an invitation for lodging. Word would travel about who was at the gate and any news about their reputation. Then, a host would extend an invitation for lodging in their home. Most likely, this is what happened with the Shunammite woman.

When we dig a little deeper, we can see that hospitality is a living reminder and demonstration of the gospel. Just as the Shunammite woman welcomed in Elisha, a stranger at the city gate, God welcomed us into his family when we were standing outside the gate. In fact, he chose to put Himself outside the gate so that we could enter in and be welcomed into his family. We were weary wanderers, and he welcomed us in.

In the same way, as Christ-followers, God asks us to demonstrate the gospel to strangers by welcoming them into our homes, inviting them to become friends, and then extending an invitation for them to become a part of our spiritual family, the family of God.

When we are willing to be available to strangers and fellow weary wanderers on this road of life, we are practicing hospitality. We are extending an opportunity for them to be known and become a part of our community of faith. We are living out an illustration of the gospel message because once we were standing outside the gate, like Elisha, waiting for someone to invite us in. And Christ came and brought us near through his sacrifice. Now, we are no longer strangers or mere guests. We are part of his family. This is the divine illustration of Biblical hospitality and why its importance is repeatedly stressed throughout the Bible.

Reflection Questions

• How can you extend an open heart to a stranger this week?
• Who around you needs to be welcomed in?
• List some simple, practical ways that you could offer an opportunity for another person to feel heard, known, and seen.