The Hospitality Experiment

Did you know that the Greek word in the Bible for hospitality, philoxenia, literally means, "loving the stranger"? The ancient Middle Eastern world of the Bible prized the generous welcoming in and providing for travelers and strangers, yet our modern concept of hospitality more often consists of us simply entertaining our friends and family. When did hospitality stop being about welcoming the alienated and become more about comfortable gatherings of friends? Would you put yourself out for a stranger? Would you give your best to a stranger? Would you welcome a stranger into your home and life and treat them like royalty? This is the beautiful concept of biblical hospitality that Jesus invites His followers to practice!