A Study In Luke - Day 19

DAY 19 - Luke 7:44-47
 
“That’s right,” Jesus said. 44 Then he turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Look at this woman kneeling here. When I entered your home, you didn’t offer me water to wash the dust from my feet, but she has washed them with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You didn’t greet me with a kiss, but from the time I first came in, she has not stopped kissing my feet. 46 You neglected the courtesy of olive oil to anoint my head, but she has anointed my feet with rare perfume.

47 “I tell you, her sins—and they are many—have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love.”

This is the continuation of yesterday’s story, and we see how Jesus summarized the situation. He reminds Simon that he had been less than hospitable, and she was actually treating Jesus with more love and compassion than the host had.
 
There are some interesting rituals mentioned: water to wash feet, greeting with a kiss, and olive oil to anoint a visitor's head. All these things were common courtesy for a guest to receive when coming over. And apparently, Jesus had received none of these from Simon. (However, it might be fair to note that the woman was there, and therefore these things may have been pre-empted by her actions).

What do we do when we receive guests into our houses? Are there particularly Christian things that we do to let them know we welcome them? Many cultures have these kinds of rituals, but the early church’s particular rituals have fallen by the wayside over the last two millennia.

I wonder if it wouldn’t be interesting for each of us to put into place a ritual or two that shows hospitality to our guests as we receive them in our homes. A glass of water, a quick blessing, a grateful handshake. Maybe we do much of that already without noticing it. But when we put spiritual meaning behind something, it will allow us to be able to remind our guests that this is a home where God is honored and they are welcomed.
 
Every Jewish home has a Mezuzah on the doorpost. It is a piece of parchment inscribed with a specific verse from the Torah. They put it in on their doorpost as a reminder that this is a house of God and also to always remember the Exodus.

I have always loved this tradition, as every time I step into a hotel room in Israel, I am reminded of so much history and spiritual heritage. It has always sort of warmed my heart and given me pause.
 

1. Is there anything you do that reminds you that your house is a house of God when you go in? 
2. What could you do to make this happen? 
3. How can you connect with your guests and let them know they are welcome?