Imagine if you will, you just had an abdominal surgery and are in grave pain. For whatever reason, your family had to step out for a better part of the day making sure they left you as comfortable as your circumstance would allow and so you find yourself home alone. Then comes that knock at the door, and it’s someone you know. In our culture it can be expected that the person at the door will realize the pain you are in and either come back another time or immediately begin attending to you.
What if, instead you who is in pain are greeted by someone with recognizable authority at your door, you – in spite of your pain, in spite of your circumstance invite them in, make them coffee, and begin making them breakfast.
Now imagine the following. You invite the person in pain to your home and in spite of their pain they get up and cook for you. Remember this is in your home. That’s extraordinary loving hospitality.
Now, imagine no pain, no surgery, no out of the ordinary circumstance, and you demonstrate extraordinary loving hospitality like the above anyway.
Genesis 18:1-8
And the Lord appeared to him by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the door of his tent in the heat of the day. 2 He lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing in front of him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them and bowed himself to the earth 3 and said, “O Lord, if I have found favor in your sight, do not pass by your servant. 4 Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree, 5 while I bring a morsel of bread, that you may refresh yourselves, and after that you may pass on—since you have come to your servant.” So they said, “Do as you have said.” 6 And Abraham went quickly into the tent to Sarah and said, “Quick! Three seahs, (7 quarts or 7.3 liters), of fine flour! Knead it and make cakes.” 7 And Abraham ran to the herd and took a calf, tender and good, and gave it to a young man, who prepared it quickly. 8 Then he took curds and milk and the calf that he had prepared and set it before them. And he stood by them under the tree while they ate.
The above scripture took place shortly after Abrahams circumcision. A most painful day after a procedure and God sends visitors to attend His sick. Considering Abraham’s physical condition, God made a way for greater privacy between Abraham and visitors who would customarily visit after someone has gone through something, just as we still do today. God brought out a sweltering sun to ward off strangers and afford the patient time to heal. Yet even during in the midst of Abraham’s circumstance the needs of others took precedence over his own comfort. Regarding this preference, biblical teachers have stated: “Hospitality to is greater than our circumstance.
This is the kind of hospitality The Mercy Table wants to offer. We want people like you to offer this to. A need is not required, but rather a desire. In spite of the circumstances of our volunteers, which are many, they look forward to serving you. YOU are invited to come to the table and take your seat at The Mercy Table regardless of your circumstance. The Mercy Table is where you can expect loving hospitality and authentic friendships, open to all, come as you are.
The Mercy Table 