Early in the Gospel of Luke we can

observe Gods unfeigned gracious

attitude towards Israel, the covenant
people. An angels annunciation to Mary
of a coming child , whose name will be
Jesus, signifies the dawning salvation
for Israel.

Luke: Hospitality
Objectives:
1. List words or images that describe
hospitality
2. Enumerate individuals or groups that may
be considered objects of hospitality
3. Narrate the passages in Luke that describe
Jesus hospitality.

Background:

The addressee of Lukes Gospel is

named Theopilus(Friend of God).
The author perhaps was a non-Jewish
who was converted to Judaism and
became a Christian.
The gospel was probably written around
85CE and have specifications to share
the same author with the book of Acts
since theyre written around the same
time and share the same literary
features.

Gods hospitality (Welcoming grace is

concretely evident:
He announces the program for
his ministry(Luke 4:18-19)
He accommodates people with
diseases and physical infirmities
(Luke 5:12-25)
Other meanings of Hospitality for
Jesus:
-

Meaning of Hospitality in the New

Testament:

The leading topic of the Gospel

Hospitality derives from the Greek word
philoxenia meaning love for strangers
of foreigners.
Another English term to refer to
hospitality would be welcoming grace.
Follows Old Testament traditions of
taking care of travelers.
In the New Testament there is only one
occurrence of the Greek term of
Hospitality (i.e (Romans 12:13)
Share with Gods people who are in
need. Practice hospitality.

Important image on hospitality is Gods

welcoming attitude towards Israel (Luke
1:31-33)

Basic needs are more important than

observing religious rituals. (Luke 6:15)
Saving a life rather than to destroy it.
(Luke 6:11) (Luke 6:9)
I ask you, which is lawful on the
Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to
save life or destroy it? Luke 6:9

Images that describe and narrate the hospitality

of God and Jesus in Luke:

Mary Magnificat
Tax collectors
Sinners
Strangers
Widow

Mary Magnificat (Luke 1:46-055 Marys

Song)

The birth of Jesus shows Gods plan

and action for the covenant (Luke 2:120)
Announced to the shepherds and
lawless nobodies rather than wealthy
and elite citizens (Luke 2:8-11)
The favored ones are the poor and
outcasts (Luke 2:14)
The Savior is born to a poor couple
(Luke 2:6-7,12)

Individuals or groups that maybe

considered objects of hospitality in our
time:
1.
2.
3.
4.

Ways in which Christians can extend

hospitality in our time:

Tax Collectors toll collectors

1. Share meals with those who are

hungry and thirsty.
2. We may/must be sensitive to the
needs of others.
3. Humble yourselves.

Sinners(Robbers,Moneychangers,extortioners,imposters,adulterers,
murderers)

Jesus dines with both sinners and tax

collectors (Luke 5:27-32)

Strangers and a Widow

Healing of centurions (a military leader

of 100 men) slave (Luke 7:1-10)

This slave is in bad condition and is dying. But

its interesting to note the centurion values his
slave highly.

Support Groups
Charity Events
Refugees
Orphanages

Resuscitation of a widows sin (Luke

7:11-17)

Perhaps the support for her subsistence solely

come from her only son. His death marks the
shattering of her hopes for living, and that she
will depend on aids from relatives, if any, and
from the community.

Reflection: Hospitality forms the basis of Jesus

ministry in the gospel of Luke. Since the Greek word for
hospitality means love for strangers and foreigners,
these strangers and foreigners can also refer to our
neighbor and the poor. Hospitality in the gospel does not
necessarily mean only the literal friendly accommodation
of the guests. It can also mean treating our fellow
believers, needy, outcasts and even nonbelievers as if
they are our own family. We have seen Gods grace
towards us, and this will inspire us to show this kind of
generosity towards others. And by showing hospitality to
our fellow mankind, we will also called to be hospitable
in the Kingdom of God, where we can be truly at home
and know His welcoming grace in the depths of our
hearts.

Sources:

Solon
The Bible
The Oxford Companion to The Bible