Pastor Chris’ Corona Quarantine Epistles to the Flock of AIC Ngong Road, in Dispersion and Isolation. 107th. Edition.
Dear Chosen People,
In today’s passage (3 John 5-8) we delve into the main subject matter of 3 John, hospitality for itinerant preachers. The apostle Paul was not the only preacher roaming highway, evangelizing. There were scores of them, some evangelists, others, teachers. The society of that day was more welcoming of guests and strangers than ours today, but not everyone was hospitable. John commends Gaius being
Faithful (vv. 5-6a) in his service to guests and strangers, a matter that has been noted by others in the church, so that they bear witness of his actions of love. While it is obvious that we should not do works of righteousness in order to be seen by men (Matthew 6:1), it should go without saying that we should not have a reputation for not doing what is right, either. Just as evil cannot hide, good also cannot be hidden. Gaius did good to the itinerant preachers and people noticed. Your reputation is built on your works, whether good or bad. Gaius is further encouraged to send the preachers and strangers
Forward (v. 6b) in a manner worthy of God. The implication here is that offering accommodation may not always be enough. A lot of the preachers back then tended to travel without enough resources, partly because of lack of such resources but also because it was expected of Christians to help them on their way. Some may have taken the instructions of Jesus to the Twelve (Matthew 10:9-10) to heart. Whatever the case, a send-off “worthy of God” would at the very least ensured that the preachers were supplied enough, to enable them to reach the next Christian home without suffering want. Obviously, the dynamics of modern travel and modalities of doing ministry are different, but the point about generosity and hospitality has been made. John’s reasoning for the instructions he has given is that such people are;
Fellow workers for the truth (vv. 7-8). He makes the interesting comment that the preachers took “nothing from the Gentiles.” By Gentiles here, he means unbelievers. This is not to say that God’s servants should not accept gifts and assistance from unbelievers but rather to emphasize our Christian responsibility for the servants. When we welcome and assist such, we share in their ministry as partners. Again, since hospitality may not be the chief need for itinerant preachers of our time, or other preachers, for that matter, other ways are available, to empower, encourage God’s servants on their way.
Think about your life. When was the last time you welcomed someone into your home? When did you last help a servant of God “on his way”?
Your Loving Pastor Chris.