Hospitality is Next to Godliness

 

This year, we are wandering our way through the Gospel of John.  Over the last few weeks, you’ve heard about Jesus' conversations with Nicodemus (John 3), Photine (John 4), and the man who had been suffering for 38 years at the pool in Bethzatha (John 5).  Continue to hold the question from yesterday, “Where does it hurt?”  Each conversation in these three chapters opened our imaginations to hear God authoring our story in these days.  This week, I want to rewind to John 2, the Wedding Feast.  In Jesus’ day, wedding feasts were not just one night but would go on for upwards of a week.  It was the responsibility of the groom to provide provisions for everyone who came to the feast.  And you thought your wedding was expensive!!  Secondly, in Jesus’ day, the cliché wasn’t, “Cleanliness is next to Godliness.”  Instead, hospitality was holy and the way you let loose God’s love.  You would do whatever it took to make sure there was food and drink for a guest, rather than face the shame of being seen as stingy.  You see the culture of hospitality in Genesis 18, when three guests/angels show up at Abraham and Sarah’s campsite.  Even though it is the middle of the day, when the heat and humidity are oppressive, Abe springs into action.  He tells Sarah to bake enough bread to feed 5000; he takes the best calf to be prepared with a rosemary sauce; he will do whatever it takes to be seen as a good host.  I see him with sweat pouring off his forehead. He stands nearby, praying that the guests will give him a good review.  Hospitality, welcome, and caring were important ways to express God’s love woven into the Jewish culture.  Given this cultural context, slowly read these words of John 2 from the Voice translation:

 

Three days later, they all went to celebrate a wedding feast in Cana of Galilee. Mary, the mother of Jesus, was invited together with Him and His disciples. While they were celebrating, the wine ran out, and Jesus’ mother hurried over to her son.

Mary: The host stands on the brink of embarrassment; there are many guests, and there is no more wine.  (Wes’ side note ~ the embarrassment or shame would be perhaps because the host didn’t count on the number of people or how thirsty they would be.  Nevertheless, the host will never live this down!).

Jesus: Dear woman, is it our problem that they miscalculated when buying wine and inviting guests? My time has not arrived.

But she turned to the servants.

Mary: Do whatever my son tells you.

In that area were six massive stone water pots that could each hold 20 to 30 gallons. They were typically used for Jewish purification rites. Jesus’ instructions were clear:

Jesus: Fill each water pot with water until it’s ready to spill over the top; then fill a cup, and deliver it to the headwaiter.

They did exactly as they were instructed. After tasting the water that had become wine, the headwaiter couldn’t figure out where such wine came from (even though the servants knew), and he called over the bridegroom in amazement.

Headwaiter: This wine is delectable. Why would you save the most exquisite fruit of the vine? A host would generally serve the good wine first and, when his inebriated guests don’t notice or care, he would serve the inferior wine. You have held back the best for last.

Jesus performed this miracle, the first of His signs, in Cana of Galilee. They did not know how this happened, but when the disciples and the servants witnessed this miracle, their faith blossomed.

 

What surprised you about the above reading?  What questions do you have?  Any insights about how these words are landing in your life today?  This week, as you go about your day-to-day life, notice who shows hospitality (restaurants, grocery stores, doctors’ offices, church) ~ where do you feel warmly welcomed and where do you feel overlooked?  May you sense God’s holy hospitality and may others sense that Spirit in you.  Amen.