radical scandalous hospitality...a Kingdom reality

If we're honest, our hospitality is safe, rationed, and usually by request only. Membership certainly has its privileges. The radical nature of the hospitality in the gospels, or even the early church has been lost in the age of marketing and consumerism. We are better at hosting, than living out the radical scandalous hospitality of Jesus. 

There is a tragic and beautiful story from the early church about the hospitality of Polycarp, written shortly after the old mans execution sometime around 155 AD. A much revered bishop of Smyrna in Asia Minor, Polycarp was in his mid-80’s when he was arrested and executed in one of the long series of persecutions that besieged the Christian church over the first 300 years of its existence.
 
As the story is told in the ancient document, under torture a servant had betrayed Polycarp’s whereabouts to the Roman authorities and in time soldiers arrived at his door to arrest him.

As soon as he heard them arrive, he went down and chatted with them; and everyone there was struck by his age and his calmness, and surprised that the arrest of such an old man could be so urgent.  In spite of the lateness of the hour he at once ordered them to be given all the food and drink they wanted; and then asked if he might be allowed an hour to pray undisturbed.  When they consented, he got to his feet and prayed; so full of the grace of God, that two whole hours went by before he could bring himself to be silent again.  All who heard him were struck with awe, and many of them began to regret this expedition against a man so old and saintly.

In his interpretation of the events, local artist James Nesbitt’s painting behind me reveals the redemptive imagination of Jesus and his Kingdom, set at the dinner table which has been offered to the arresting soldiers.  

(Painting courtesy James Nesbitt)

While the 2nd Century account has the aged bishop in prayer during the meal, Nesbitt places Polycarp at the table with his captors, extending to them the sort of table hospitality which Jesus models throughout the gospels.  Head lifted in laughter, Nesbitt’s Polycarp embodies a deeply challenging Christian truth: he is one who can not and will not confess any other Lord than Jesus, but he is also one who cannot do other than open his table to any and all, including those who would take his life.

The occasion for the hospitality offered by Polycarp to his captors is triggered by a betrayal by one of his own servants, and yet, as with the last supper, it becomes a meal which proclaims the deep liberation found only in Christ. From James Nesbitt’s palette has come a most remarkable portrait of the truth – and cost – of liberation in Christ.

On every imaginable front Jesus is restoring every victim of a broken world. Jesus stories of the Kingdom invoked a radical energy for they announced as sure and certain what had been denied by careful conspiracy. The stories of the Kingdom were almost more radical than his actions, because the stories played out the implications of the harsh challenge and radical transformation at which his actions hinted. It was one thing to eat with outcasts, but it was far more radical to announce the distinctions between insiders and outsiders were null and void. It was one thing to heal and forgive, but quite another to announce that the conditions which made one sick and guilty were now irrelevant.

The stories of the Kingdom, like Jesus’ actions are earth shattering, open and inviting, they stir the heart, mind and soul…awakening us to the eternal and abundant life of the Kingdom. The Kingdom conjures a present and a future that had been closed off. They indicate infinite possibilities that had been defined as impossibilities.

The hospitality of Jesus is without boundaries, and borders. It erases the lines between " us " and " them "; the loved and the unloved; the tax colllector and the priest; the poor and the wealthy; the sick and the healthy; the wise and illiterate; men and women; gays and straights; Christians and other faiths...friends and enemies. At Jesus table all are welcome, even those who would and did conspire to kill him. At Jesus table there is liberation, of peace, and healing...the Kingdom becomes a tangible reality.

It's not so much about the food...it's more about you, and me becoming a guest house...open to everyone , and everything.

The Guest House 

This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they're a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still, treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice,
meet them at the door laughing,
and invite them in.

Be grateful for whoever comes,
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.

 ~ Rumi ~

 

Comments

[Eric Blauer]

Does this hospitality extend to the Christian who won't obey Jesus?
Who chooses to disregard the teaching of Jesus? This is where I wrestle. Is this grace to those who come...or...to those who stay. Is it grace if you change but if you don't it turns to judgement? Can the prostitue still turn tricks to pay the rent? Does the gay man have to leave his husband? Does the pot smoker have to stop? Is it really "unconditional love"... if the conditions are "change"? Don't we oversell grace and mercy if we fail to honestly add those parts?

[Al]

Good words, Ron. Good, but definitely difficult. Why is it is comparatively easy to agree with the principle, but not so easy to carry out in actual daily life?

I resonate with your first question, Eric. Sometimes it seems hardest to extend grace to someone who doesn't seem to be doing so themselves. As to your other questions--I guess we have to figure out if it's 'unconditional love' or 'change' that is most important. I think the change part is more up to God and the individual than it is up to us. As impossible as it is, I think we are called to love, even if things never change.

[ron cole]

Hi Eric, wrestle definitely. For years I struggled, but the more I read, and lived out the gospels, it became apparent that I'm not called to judge. Jesus words on judging, always seeing the speck of saw dust in the strangers eye, but failing to see the plank in my own eye. And the parable of the weeds in Matt 13:24-30, our need to want to pull out the weeds that grow among the wheat. Jesus says when the time comes he will do the weeding. To let the two grow together. I think our struggle to is live in God's timing, we are sometimes impatient. We want change on our terms in our time.
Working, and hanging out in an inner city church, I know prostitutes that turn tricks to pay the rent, and the rent of her friends. Until we as followers of Jesus, as radical communities of faith help her battle her drug addiction, her poverty, homelessness...I have no right to judge her. I can only love her with tangible acts of faith. Jesus says, love conquers all...I believe that. And until we come to terms with the reality that sexuality is far more complex than the simplicity that whether your a " plug " or a " socket " determines your sexuality. I know a young man in Toronto, he went through spiritual counseling, prayer...community laid hands on him. He could not change his "gay-ness." The implied guilt he felt drove him to suicide. I think if we live out of the gospels, we discover that Jesus was more concerned with the " wholeness " of relationships, rather than sexuality.In the end I can only be a reflection of Jesus, and share and live the gospel. It is the Spirit of God, that blows where it may. Through its power it will change the landscape of peoples lives. I can only let go, and love, for without love...I abide in nothing.
Anyways, Eric, thanks for dropping by and engaging us in some tough questions. Peace...Ron+

[ron cole]

Al...
Why is it is comparatively easy to agree with the principle, but not so easy to carry out in actual daily life?

I think it is because it is far easier to believe something, than to live something. We need more " be-livers ."

And you said, " As impossible as it is, I think we are called to love, even if things never change."Many in the church might call that an act of futility, somehow I think Jesus would see it very differently...radical, scandalous.

[Eric Blauer]

Thanks for the responses guys, I asked these as a pastor who also lives a life if home and mission within a urban, poor neighborhood too. A community that struggles with meth, prostitution, violence and poverty. I'm a rescued soul by mercy and grace and pastor left of center. These are not rantings of an uptight fundy, just to clarify :)

My trouble lies in being far more at ease and resonante with the "where are your acusers?, neither do I condemn you's" of Jesus than.,.the "Go and sin, no more". Or Paul's "Dont even associate with the believing fornicators, thieves, etc ect of 1 Cor passages. Figuring out how mercy "&" justice kiss...versus pretending they are not relatives. Do you get me on this?

Paul definatley didn't share the "leave the leaven in" perspective. this is tough to figure out Inside the faith community...outside it's easy. But, when the church has a drunk dad or an abusive husband or a lazy dead beat wife or folks choosing to leave one spouse for a more exciting partner, or the shack ups, or the peeps who want the milk but don't want to buy the cow, or those who sacrifice thier kids on the altar of mammon etc...these are the places where I struggle with how to pastor or simply be a responsive Christian.

I imagine these types of conversation are different outside Aushuwitz than Starbucks too.

[ron cole]

Eric, yes I do get you on this. Just wondering if your faith community is made up addicts, prostitutes,homeless, impoverished and mentally ill.Or are you in " urban " church that has a missional presence to the inner city. The only reason I ask is, is because it would be much more challenging in the latter situation.It's far easier to disciple someone " in " a church, than on the street. On the street, it really is like trying to plant seeds in the pavement. I've built up one relationship with one addict for five years. It has been 1 step forward and two back. I do challenge him when there are set backs. But, I know it is going to take along long time of cultivation before there will be fruit. And there is also the reality, there may not be fruit. But, I will still be there as Jesus, and love him. I find it sad that that in most suburban churches we don't challenge or critique at all. It seems the sins of addicts, prostitutes are much easier to judge than the sins of the suburban middle class. I have to laugh when the first thing church folk ask me, " have you saved anyone." Most feel I'm wasting time and energy. Maybe. Anyways, Jesus will judge me in the if I was a fool for love.

[cheryl ensom]

Wow...the poem at the end by Rumi...needed that today, Ron. Thank you.