I was reminded of this text when our pastor preached last week. It describes the events surrounding Paul’s visit to Thesalonica. Jason hosts Paul and Silas at his house while they preach the teachings of Jesus. Fearing the repercussions of this revolutionary message, the locals, who are occupied by Rome, turn on Paul, and even recruit “ruffians” to help them attack Jason’s house. Like the angry mob that demanded the crucifixion of Jesus, they side with the oppressive authoritarian regime, rather than those preaching the ancient message of justice and mercy from the prophets of their Lord.

 

What was Jason’s crime? Hospitality to the stranger, welcome to the refugee, and standing against the Emperor (not them). Paul isn’t bringing a new message. The teachings of Jesus are the words of the prophets of Israel, quoted and explained in parables, and lived out by example in his life, his advocacy for justice, and ministry of mercy. This is so dangerous to the status quo that they attack Paul’s entourage and their hosts. They would rather be agents of an authoritarian regime and its promises of peace and stability and economic certainty than to adhere to the commands and ethic of their faith. They willingly cling to loyalty to the emperor, rather than risk welcoming the sojourner in their land.

 

The story from scripture reminds us that hospitality and justice are prophetic calls to a life that is faithful and dangerous. Christ calls us to build a kingdom of peacemakers, vulnerable outcasts, and the tempest tossed. Empires are built on fear and enmity, threats and borders and barriers and violence. The world and our nation have troubling histories of a rejection of the prophetic message of hospitality.

 

We will always be faced with the challenge to open our homes, churches, and communities to those in need. Sometimes it’s a neighbor whose house burned down, sometimes 80 counties of displaced people who lost their homes to hurricane flooding. Sometimes it’s entire people groups fleeing political violence and economic collapse in their home country. And sometimes it’s a young family of three fleeing the brutality of a king who fears the prophecies of magi from the east. In the coming weeks of recovery for our state, the advent season, and changing powers that govern, will we be people of welcome and refuge like Jason? Or will we join the mob and ruffians who seek to ignore, attack, or expel the vulnerable?