Good Morning Easter Devotional Day 4 – Restored into connection

Good morning! Welcome to day 4! If this is your first time joining us, don’t worry, you can still catch up! For those of you who have followed along, welcome back! I hope you’re enjoying this study like I am! 

So diving right in! On this day in holy week, Thursday commemorates the Last Supper – a moment to sit, connect and break bread together. As we reflect on the uncommon group of disciples who gathered with Jesus in his final days, we are reminded of his extravagant love: that he died so that we could live.

The devo then mentions hospitality. The Greek word for hospitality is philoxenos which means for the love of strangers. Weaved throughout the entire Bible are examples and passages that tell us to love one another through kindness, generosity and connection. Jesus was so good at sitting and listening to the stories, to the hearts, of people, many times over a meal. 

One of the ways he extended hospitality was his attention was to teach and listen. Just a few examples include the wedding at Cana, which was actually his first recorded miracle of turning water into good wine. He ate with Matthew and other tax collectors, much to the dismay of the Pharisees. He ate with Simon the Pharisee when the woman tried washing his feet and he forgave her sins. He was hosted by and ate with Mary and Martha and told Martha not to worry about things that aren’t important. He washed the feet of his disciples, reminding them that the humility he embodied was for us to follow. And at the last supper, since we’re in holy week, he ate with the disciples knowing full well he was about to be betrayed and hours away from death.

These are just a few examples of Christ listening to peoples’ stories, their hurt, and teaching them or extending a miracle. Mark 10:45 says, “Even the son of man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Christ came to earth to serve and to be a sacrifice.

“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends.”- John 15:13 

As we reflect upon Christ’s sacrifice for us, it is an opportunity to remember its basis: love. And as we read together the easter story, it is a great reminder to know that it all began with an act of hospitality, a longing for reconnection.

You are known, you are loved, and you have been restored into connection with Christ, who longs to sit with us in our present moments.

I would love to hear of a time when hospitality that has impacted you deeply? Is there someone you could celebrate with this Easter over a meal?

Thanks for joining, friends! I will see you right here tomorrow!