krish kandiah

A passion for hospitality A meditation on jesus’ last words from the cross

At the heart of the atonement is divine hospitality, where God invites the undeserving and unexpected to come home with him.

The final words of Jesus on the cross, as recorded in the Gospels, provide us with an entry point to understand the essence of the Christian faith. Each of the sayings crucially invites us to share in God’s revolutionary hospitality, not only being welcomed as the strangers and enemies we once were but also welcoming other strangers and enemies in his name and for his sake.

‘FATHER, FORGIVE THEM, FOR THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING.’

Luke 23:34

Jesus’ words are a prayer not for himself but for others. Jesus’ merciful words are a preemptive act of grace ahead of the obscene act that is to come.

Read the story of a couple who forgave the driver who killed their 11 year old son

Listen to a short talk by Krish on the power of forgiveness

‘I AM THIRSTY’

John 19:28-29

The man who taught his disciples to quench the thirst of strangers as evidence of their love for God now becomes that thirsty stranger. How ironic that the one who once provided wine at a wedding is now left with nothing to drink.

Read the story of an Olympic Medal winner who struggled to keep up with 12 year old water carriers

‘TRULY I TELL YOU, TODAY YOU WILL BE WITH ME IN PARADISE.’

Luke 23:43

Amidst the extreme pain he was suffering Jesus offers words of comfort and a VIP invitation to a self-confessed criminal.

Hear Dwayne's story of how he found hope in prison

Listen to Paul Cowley talk about Jesus' offer of hope to a criminal

‘HERE IS YOUR SON.... HERE IS YOUR MOTHER’

John 19.26

In this simple act, we see Jesus promoting hospitality by practically enabling people to be reconciled to God and to one another.

Read Rachel's adoption story

Listen to singer Carrie Grant talk about her adoption

‘MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME?’

Matthew 27:46

Somehow, Jesus had to be forsaken by his Father, so that we could be forgiven. He was rejected so that we could be accepted. He was excluded from the mercy of God so that we could be included.

What would you do if you thought someone on your morning commute was being trafficked into slavery?

Listen to Jessie Boston talk about the power of empathy

‘FATHER, INTO YOUR HANDS I COMMIT MY SPIRIT’

Luke 23:46

Despite all appearances, God is his safe place, his panic room, his fortress. Jesus now asks for the same hospitality from God— for sanctuary from the turmoil that he is in.

Dr Krish Kandiah is the founding director of Home for Good. A charity finding loving homes for children in the care system.Read more about radical hospitality in Krish’s book ‘God is Stranger’ published in the UK by Hodder and in the USA by IVP.

Buy the book

Watch an interview on radical hospitality between noted author and thought leader Andy Crouch and Krish.

Find our more about radical hospitality to vulnerable children through fostering and adoption by contacting Home for Good.

Home for Good

get in touch with Krish

For more great content listen to the Discipleshift podcast presented by Krish Kandiah and featuring significant leaders from around the world including: Jo Saxton, Andy Crouch, NT Wright, Danielle Strickland

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