Would You Host A Missionary?

"When you enter a house, first say, 'Peace to this house.'

If a man of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; if not, it will return to you.

Stay in that house, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house. Luke 10:5-7

 

When Jesus sent out 72 men as missionaries to the surrounding villages, He gave them several instructions, but one in particular piqued my interest. He commanded them not to look for places to board but rather to stay in the houses where they would be welcomed. The owner of the house would then be expected to keep them at their own expense.

I thought of this in our own context. Would I host a travelling missionary, unknown to my family and me? Would you?

Christians have many ‘valid’ reasons why they would be hesitant to host a complete stranger.

-        He/she could be a conman (and there are many wolves in sheep’s clothing in our time!)

-        I can’t afford it

-        My home is not good enough

-        The theologically inclined could reason that this story is written in the context of ANE (Ancient Near East) culture. Contemporary culture and context are completely different making the literal application of this scripture difficult.

-        I have a close-knit family that can scarcely tolerate such intrusions.

-        My wife (I swear it!) has some kind of OCD.

ANE hospitality culture, conmen, the state of our homes and OCD aside, the Bible has some compelling reasons why we should prepare ourselves (and our homes) to obey this instruction if it ever comes to it.

For one, Jesus offered a blessing to whoever would host his missionaries. He told the 72 men, “When you enter a house, first say, 'Peace to this house.' If a man of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; if not, it will return to you.”

 

God offered the blessing of peace to anyone who would welcome His ministers into their home. The peace of God has effects beyond mere calmness. Its total effect can be seen from what happened in a little-known home in ancient Israel following an incident with the Ark of the Covenant.

 Thus the ark of the LORD remained in the house of Obed-edom the Gittite for three months, and the LORD blessed him and all his household.

Now it was reported to King David, “The LORD has blessed the house of Obed-edom and all that belongs to him, because of the ark of God.” 2 Samuel 6: 11-12 (read the whole chapter to get the gist of the story)

 Let me bring this closer home.

We have some family friends in Nakuru who, once or twice a year, host my wife for a few days as the children participate in an annual week-long sporting competition in the town. Whenever I join my wife at their house, I make a point of praying and leaving my blessing there, in their hearing and fully believing that God will bless them with His peace and keep them out of harm's way.

Whenever I travel for work and I am treated well, on the final day, I always take a moment to kneel by the bedside to pray. I pray to bless the business and the workers. Do you do this?

 Lastly, there is a very specific exhortation in scripture to be hospitable to strangers.

 Continue in brotherly love. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it. Hebrews 13:1-2

 Let me say this. You may not actually receive angels in disguise but God will bless you nevertheless. Plus you may one day, unknowingly host God’s heavenly messengers.

I say, prepare your heart and prepare your home!