Unreasonable Hospitality: Loving Like Jesus
by Royce
Scripture: “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” — John 13:35 (NIV)
Devotional:
I’ve always been fascinated by the history of Christianity. How did a movement, led by a group of uneducated people, without money and proper organization, no political power, or an army, and spreading what seemed like an absurd story—that God became a man, died on a cross, rose from the dead, and ascended into heaven—manage to survive fierce persecution from both Jews and Romans? More astonishingly, how did this movement eventually conquer the mighty Roman Empire, without raising weapons?
One day, while browsing my Kindle, I came across a book titled Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara. At just twenty-six, Will took over Eleven Madison Park, a struggling two-star brasserie in New York, and over the next eleven years, transformed it into the best restaurant in the world.
That’s when it clicked for me: those early Christians won the hearts of Rome by practicing unreasonable hospitality. Here are some key lessons I learned from the book that reflect this truth.
In Unreasonable Hospitality, Will Guidara paints a picture of hospitality that goes beyond simply serving others—it’s about connecting with people, being fully present, and personalizing our love in a way that breaks down barriers. The goal isn’t just to offer good service; it’s to create genuine connections that make others feel truly seen and valued. This reflects the heart of early Christian love and community, where believers were known for breaking down barriers and loving one another in a way that defied the social norms of their time.
The first-century church exemplified this radical, barrier-breaking love. In a divided society where class, race, and status determined one’s place, the early Christians dismantled these walls through their love for one another. Acts 2:44-47 speaks of how they shared all things in common, meeting each other’s needs and welcoming people from every walk of life into their fellowship. This wasn’t just about hospitality in the traditional sense of inviting people over; it was about creating a community of belonging, where every person was valued and connected.
Being Present and Breaking Down Barriers:
Jesus modeled this when He broke through cultural, social, and even religious barriers to connect with people. Think of His encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4). Jesus didn’t just offer her water—He offered her a chance to belong, to be seen, and to be valued. His hospitality wasn’t just about meeting a need; it was about breaking down the barriers that isolated her and creating a connection that transformed her life.
As Christians, we are called to follow Jesus’ example of being fully present and breaking down barriers in our interactions with others. True hospitality is about far more than meeting someone’s physical needs; it’s about meeting their emotional and spiritual needs by creating a space where they feel welcomed, known, and loved.
Guidara’s concept of one-size-fits-one speaks directly to this. It’s a reminder that hospitality must be personalized. We are not called to offer a standard response to everyone but to engage with people as individuals, recognizing and addressing their unique circumstances. This is how we break down barriers—by seeing people for who they are and connecting with them where they are.
The Goal is Connection: In both first-century Christianity and unreasonable hospitality, the goal is clear: to connect with people on a deep, personal level. Early Christians did this by living in close community and sharing everything. We are called to do the same today by focusing not just on tasks or acts of service but on the relationships we build through those actions.
Break Down Barriers, Don’t Build Them: Jesus broke down social and cultural barriers with His love, and we are called to do the same. Who in your life might be feeling isolated or overlooked? How can you break down the walls that might be keeping them from feeling valued or connected? True hospitality doesn’t put up barriers; it dismantles them.
Be Present, Be Personal: To practice one-size-fits-one love is to truly be present. In a world full of distractions, being present means engaging with people fully, listening to their needs, and responding with intentional, thoughtful care. It’s not just about showing up physically; it’s about showing up emotionally and spiritually, offering the kind of love that sees the person behind the need.
As followers of Christ, our goal in showing hospitality should be to make people feel connected, breaking down whatever barriers may stand in the way. Whether it’s the person who feels marginalized, the coworker who seems distant, or a friend going through a tough time, unreasonable hospitality challenges us to go beyond the surface and create genuine connections that reflect Christ’s love.
Application:
This week, intentionally connect with someone who may be feeling disconnected or isolated. Take time to listen to their story, be present with them, and ask God to show you how you can break down any barriers to make them feel loved and included.
Prayer:
Lord, thank You for the example of Jesus, who broke down barriers and connected with people in a personal and powerful way. Help us to practice hospitality that goes beyond meeting needs and truly connects with others, breaking down walls that divide. Teach us to be fully present, to offer one-size-fits-one love, and to see the individual needs of those around us. May our lives reflect Your heart, creating spaces where people feel seen, valued, and loved. Amen.