Hospitality
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Psalm 23 (NCV)
The Lord is my shepherd; I have everything I need. He lets me rest in green pastures. He leads me to calm water. He gives me new strength. He leads me on paths that are right for the good of his name. Even if I walk through a very dark valley, I will not be afraid, because you are with me. Your rod and your walking stick comfort me You prepare a meal for me in front of my enemies. You pour oil on my head; you fill my cup to overflowing. Surely your goodness and love will be with me all my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.
Psalm 23:5
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. (ESV)
You prepare a banquet for me, where all my enemies can see me; you welcome me as an honored guest and fill my cup to the brim. (GNT)
You prepare a feast for me right in front of my enemies. You pour oil on my head. My cup runs over. (NIrV)
You serve me a six-course dinner right in front of my enemies. You revive my drooping head; my cup brims with blessing. (Msg)
Is the LORD by nature extravagantly generous or is he stingy and withholding?
You
Not “he” or “the LORD” as in verses 1-3. It continues with the more personal nature of the struggle in the dark valley in v. 4.
Prepare a table/banquet/feast
Before me/for me
What does it mean to you to know that the LORD invites you to his home for a banquet feast?
In the presence of/ right in front of my enemies
130 references to enemies in the Psalms.
David
Saul
Other nations
His own son, Absalom
Advisors and top military staff
Jesus
He had enemies referred to all through the New Testament
You
Matthew 5:44 (NLT)
How can you obey this verse if you don’t have any enemies?
Who are your enemies?
Sometimes they are frenemies.
Who does not have your best interest at heart?
Who wants you to fail?
Who mocks you?
Who opposes you?
Who tries to drag you down to their level?
Who rubs your nose in their success?
Who tempts you to go against what the Lord has revealed as your path?
Who drains you of as much as they can without giving back?
Is the presence of deep conflict with others causing you to need the LORD more personally?
How do you need to know the LORD’S blessing in relational brokenness?
You anoint my head/ you pour oil on my head/ you welcome me as an honored guest
Anointing a guest as a sign of honor and hospitality
Luke 7:36-38, 44-46 (NLT)
The LORD does not treat you like this Pharisee treated Jesus. He is extravagantly hospitable to you. He washes your feet, he kisses you on the cheek. He anoints your head with oil.
How does it feel to be honored by the LORD?
You fill my cup to overflowing/ my cup overflows
He shows extravagant favor and hospitality to you!
Revelation 19:6-9 (NLT)
Revelation 3:20 (NLT)
Satan: Hebrew word means “adversary” or “enemy.”
When we take the bread and the cup and reflect on Jesus, we are doing three things.
Past—Looking back at his death to take the punishment for our sins.
Present—Experiencing his hospitality and sharing a meal together with him right now.
Future—Looking forward to the meal we will share with him in eternity that this meal points to.
Luke 22:14-16, 19-20 (NLT)
