While Darth Vader is not a role model for showing hospitality, he did plan a nice meal for Han and Leia on Cloud City in Empire Strikes Back.
Han, being Han, took exception to having a meal with Vader. After blocking a few blaster shots and using the Force to rip Han’s gun away, Darth Vader calmly announced, “We would be honored if you would join us.”
Even though they were enemies, Vader still showed some hospitality to Han and company.
We, as believers, are called to serve others and be hospitable.
In John 13:4-6, Jesus did something that, in the culture of the time, was something a slave would do. He “rose from supper. He laid aside His outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around His waist. Then He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around Him.”
Jesus showed His disciples what it meant to serve others. Jesus, according to Philippians 2:7a, “emptied Himself, by taking the form of a servant.”
In Romans 12:13 (NIV), Paul admonishes the Romans to “share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.”
What does it mean to practice? The Greek word is διώκοντες, and according to Strong’s Concordance, it means to put to flight or to pursue. “Like a hunter pursuing a catch [or prize].”
In Matthew 25:40, Jesus is explaining to the righteous when they asked when did they feed Him, gave Him a drink, clothed Him, welcomed Him, or visited Him, “‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these My brothers, you did it to Me.'”
Remember that when we show hospitality, we are ministering to Jesus. How can we pursue hospitality like a hunter pursuing a prize catch each day?
