Renungan Kristen Sagu Sumber Hidup Thema: " Hospitality"

 God as Host and Guest at the same time

The story of the appearance of the risen Christ or Jesus to two disciples on the road to Emmaus in Luke 24:13-35 is very interesting. One of the disciples was named Cleopas. Jesus approached the two disciples walking from Jerusalem to Emmaus. But the two disciples could not recognize Jesus. The reading says there was something blocking their eyes. The two disciples saw Jesus as a stranger (guest) who was also on His way to Emmaus. So, when they were talking about everything that had happened (Jesus' crucifixion and the news of his resurrection); Jesus asked what they were talking about, they respon to Him was how You could not know about what hapened? Where have you been? Arriving at Emmaus, the two disciples invited Jesus, the stranger, to stay overnight. Since it was almost evening, and the sun was about to set. Jesus accepted the offer. In the house Jesus as the guest was treated to dinner. But a strange thing happened. Jesus the guest suddenly became Christ the Host (Verse 30). As Jesus sat down to eat with them, he took bread, said a blessing, then broke it and gave it to them. This gesture, which was what a host was supposed to do in the tradition of hospitality prevailing at that time in Israel, was instead done by the guest, the stranger.

God was present in Jesus Christ and came into the world as a guest for us sinners. He gave Himself, died on the cross, and rose again for our salvation. In the encounter between Jesus and the two disciples, the hospitality of Christ presents the Divine (God) and is recognized by humans so that humans believe in Him as Lord and Savior. Not only that, but He also as a Host invites us who believe and have faith in Him to participate together at the table in the Kingdom of Heaven. On the other hand, we as humans are also guests on this earth. As guests on earth, the earth has shown and given hospitality to us by providing crops such as food, water for use in everyday life, and oxygen that allows us to breathe freely and live on earth. Sometimes we become guests who seem to forget ourselves a little towards other living things on earth and tend to rule and exploit excessively. Christ's death not only reconciled the relationship between God and humans but also reconciled the relationship between human and nature. Therefore, to maintain this peaceful relationship, God mandates that the utilization of nature must be done by advocating in a sustainable manner so that the sustainability of life is maintained.

I am a guest in Germany

As a guest here but also as someone who has come to Germany for the first time, I have a lot of questions, puzzlement, and curiosity about why in my home in Papua we take the values of social life and the Christian faith so seriously while here we take them from a different perspective, perhaps in order to prioritize other, more important values. I think maybe I am in these two positions Martha and Mary at the same time while being here as a guest. Sometimes like Martha and Mary who had two understandings, two perspectives, two different actions in terms of welcoming Jesus as a guest in their home. I came with my background as a woman from Papua in Indonesia who has a very different mindset, culture, and even lifestyle from life in Germany. Two different backgrounds meet in certain conditions and situations. In those situations I found myself like Martha questioning Mary's unusual attitude toward Jesus. I remember before coming I had protested why there was no beach in Cologne. But in those situations I also found myself like Mary who realized that there was something more important that I should not waste, which is my coming to Germany and being a guest here is not about whether there is a beach or not in Cologne and not about what I can enjoy here, but I came as a guest because I wanted to meet good people here, get to know the culture here, and share experiences and knowledge. More than that to grow together in the love of Christ through the fellowship and ministry of the Cologne congregation and church. And that is what I find here as a guest I am welcomed, and accepted into family and community life focusing on the main purpose of the encounter which is the encounter of brotherhood in Christ not the support of the encounter. Such sincerity and sincerity in accepting me as a guest here with good intentions. I hope that the same sincerity and sincerity will also be shown in welcoming God's invitation to meet Him and become part of the family of the kingdom of heaven.

To be a Guest in West Papua

Just as I am here and welcomed. In Papua, we also do hospitality in our own way which is sometimes influenced by traditions and customs as well as Christian teachings. For example, in the tradition of Papuans as hosts, we are required to open the door of the house and provide a place to rest or shelter for strangers. It usually begins with a welcoming and introductory event by dancing a welcoming dance, shaking hands, and performing traditional ceremonies for those who are the first to arrive with the aim that during their stay with us, they are healthy and kept away from danger as well as a sign for our guests who are strangers that now they are part of us, have become family, and are our responsibility. After these two strangers meet each other there is certainly an awkward atmosphere. To break up this awkward atmosphere there is something called kakes. Kakes in Papua are betel nut, siri, and lime. As the host, I will provide the kakes and then we eat together and tell stories to get to know each other. Usually, these conversations are accompanied by funny stories to familiarize the bond of brotherhood. In the teachings of Christianity, we in Papua accept guests or strangers as receiving God who visits our home. Therefore we will be like Martha who is busy serving our guests but also like Mary who sits and listens to the stories told by our guests. On the other hand, we also see guests or strangers as brothers or relatives who come from far away. Usually, the relationship between the host and the guest will turn into a family relationship marked by giving a land or clan name to the foreigner which states that the person has become part of the tribe or community of the name giver in Papua. However, this case is quite rare, only certain people or special people get that advantage. People who are considered worthy of it. Finally, the farewell ceremony. The farewell ceremony is not so important because the guest who was once a stranger has become family, it is a sign and hope for further meetings in the future.