Extravagant Hospitality

What is Extravagant Hospitality? Do either of these pictures answer that question?

I had never heard this phrase until becoming part of the Whole Woman Conference team a couple of years ago. Prior to hearing it, I had simply thought that either a person was hospitable or not; nothing about extravagant hospitality! However soon I learned that there is a huge difference when you add the word “extravagant” to it, and it has nothing to do with what is in the pictures above! It has everything to do with ourselves!

This type of hospitality for the conference began when we invited women to come share in this experience. Once they arrived, they were greeted and escorted as soon as they got out of their cars. At the facility door, they were welcomed with handshakes or hugs. Then inside the facility, they were greeted again and gently directed to the main room, bathrooms, snack area, etc. so they were not left wondering what to do or where to go. Every woman was spoken to and not left sitting alone unless that was her preference. Every need was attempted to be anticipated and addressed. It was paramount that each woman was led to feel safe, at home, and loved.

Would Jesus do any less?

My husband and I were talking about extravagant hospitality in relation to the celebration of Holy Communion next Sunday. It seems to me that Jesus showed extravagant hospitality to his disciples from the moment he called them. After he “called” each one, he taught them, nurtured them, rebuked some of them in order to teach them, shared with them everything from his Father, sent them out to teach, and most of all, loved them unconditionally. During the Last Supper, he provided for them by serving them bread and wine and by washing their feet which was typically the work of the lowliest of servants. He anticipated their needs and took care of them. Jesus took on that role of servant, demonstrating extravagant hospitality! Sounds just like the role of women serving women at Whole Woman Conference.

Through His love and plan for redemption, God demonstrated extravagant hospitality toward us. As followers of Christ, we should share/demonstrate this every day toward others - not only during Holy Communion or during Whole Woman Conference. I used to give this little thought, but now it is constantly on my mind. Sharing this extravagant hospitality is not just something that we ought to do but something that we want to do to show God's love. It is the right thing to do because it is what Jesus teaches us to do - to love each other and to have a servant’s heart.

John 13:34-35 A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. (NIV)

Ask yourself about your church or an event you are sponsoring - do you demonstrate extravagant hospitality there? Do visitors walk in and stand there waiting to be greeted; is someone there right away to give them a handshake and information; do we engage them in conversation or do we go back to our own conversation; do we introduce them to other members; do we talk with them after service and invite them back?

Matthew 20:26-28 Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. (NIV)

Extravagant hospitality is not something we can purchase to give someone, but it is something that we can give someone from our heart. Let’s all practice extravagant hospitality every day. It’s the right thing to do, and it’s what Jesus teaches us to do!

Thanks for stopping by,

Rachel