Helpfulness in Jesus
Today's Scripture
Today's Insights
Genuine, selfless expressions of hospitality and kindness can be used by Jesus to encourage His workers. In addition to the "open heart, open home" dynamic in play with Lydia in Acts 16:14-15, we see a similar pattern with the jailer in Philippi. Upon hearing and believing what he and his household needed to do to be saved, he "washed [Paul and Silas'] wounds" (Acts 16:33). Then "the jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them" (Acts 16:34). Acts 28 also records instances of extreme kindness. When Paul was sailing to Rome as a prisoner, a storm forced the ship to come ashore on the island of Malta. He exercised his apostolic gifts among the islanders, and their hospitality was a balm for him (Acts 28:3-10).
Prophetic Significance
The story of Lydia carries prophetic significance that extends beyond its historical context. Her hospitality foreshadows Jesus' teaching in Matthew 25:35-40, where He declares that welcoming strangers is equivalent to welcoming Him. This prophetic connection reveals that acts of hospitality are not merely social courtesies but sacred opportunities to serve Christ Himself. In our modern context of increasing isolation and individualism, Lydia's example serves as a prophetic call to the church to reclaim the ministry of hospitality as essential to gospel witness.
Furthermore, the pattern of "open heart, open home" established through Lydia prophetically points to the inclusive nature of God's kingdom. As the first European convert, a businesswoman of means, Lydia represents how the gospel transcends cultural, economic, and gender barriers. This prophetic reality challenges today's church to examine whether our hospitality practices truly reflect the expansive welcome of God's kingdom or merely reinforce existing social boundaries.
Today's Devotional
During the US civil rights movement, famed New Orleans cook Leah Chase did what she could. She prepared food and fed those who were marching for equal rights for all people. She said, "I was just feeding people. They were fighting for something, and they didn't know what they would find when they went out there. They didn't know what would happen to them on the streets. But when they were here, they knew I'd feed them. That's what I could do for them."
The gift of hospitality may sometimes be overlooked, but it can be just as important as other forms of serving one another in Christ. A businesswoman named Lydia—"a dealer in purple cloth" (Acts 16:14)—showed hospitality to Paul and the other preachers spreading the good news about Jesus to the people of Macedonia (Acts 16:11-15). She used what she had—her home—to help the traveling team. After accepting the gospel message, Lydia insisted on providing a place for the preachers to rest, saying, "If you consider me a believer in the Lord, . . . come and stay at my house" (Acts 16:15). Much like the civil rights workers, Paul and his coworkers didn't need to worry about a meal due to Lydia's hospitality.
Lydia's story reminds us that ministry takes many forms. While Paul preached publicly, Lydia served behind the scenes, creating a haven of rest and refreshment. Her hospitality wasn't peripheral to the gospel mission but integral to it. The spread of Christianity throughout Europe might look very different without these networks of hospitable homes where believers could gather, rest, and be strengthened.
In our modern context, hospitality can feel like a lost art. Our busy schedules, security concerns, and digital connections can make physical hospitality seem unnecessary or burdensome. Yet the human need for welcome, for a place at the table, for genuine connection remains as strong as ever. Like Leah Chase during the civil rights movement, we may not be on the front lines of every battle, but we can still provide essential support through the ministry of hospitality.
Gifts of hospitality can go a long way in helping all people—both fellow believers and those who still need Jesus. Let's serve others as God provides what we need to help them.
Reflect & Pray
When has someone's hospitality helped you? How can you serve others today and help meet their practical needs? Consider how you might use your home, resources, or talents to create space where others can find rest and refreshment.
Dear God, thank You for those who've shown hospitality to me. Please show me how to serve others in love. Help me to see that offering welcome and care is not secondary to my faith but a vital expression of it. Amen.