Abraham's Hospitality

Read Genesis 18:1-8

Here is Abraham sitting there in the heat of the day, when he sees three men off at a distance. We do not know entirely what prompted his response to run up to them and offer them food and hospitality so honourably and eagerly. But we soon come to learn their identity.

It is God, whether this is meant to depict the trinity, or simply God with 2 angels, we do not know. But what stands out is Abraham’s profound hospitality to these strangers. No doubt this is what the author of Hebrews was thinking of when he said.

Hebrews 13:2 (ESV)
² Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

Hospitality is often not a thought in the mind of a Christian. There are bigger fish to fry. But the Bible takes it up here as very important. In the ancient history, and in many modern cultures as well, sharing a meal together in one’s home is a deep form of intimacy and fellowship.

In Revelation, all history seems to be building to a climax that culminates with a big feast, known as the marriage supper of the Lamb (Rev 19:6-10). We definitely would not be quick to label hospitality as a major problem in our day, but yet there are countless verses that speak to the importance of hospitality, especially towards strangers.

We are ever aware of the danger of this world, most of us have heard those remarks of prior age where people never had to lock their doors. Our fear of the unknown has grown exponentially through this century, as our access to information has grown.

God has come and made his home in the garbage dump that is your heart, and this is the holy, perfect God in heaven we are talking about here. And yet we fear bringing people into our homes because we didn’t do the dishes last night. We want deeper friendship with one another without showing them the truth of who we are.

We are the people of God, and we are not perfect, so lets stop trying to pretend we are. Invite people into the mess of your lives, open up, take risks you fear taking, because you have faith in the God who holds all things in his hands.

My friends, we are right to be cautious, but we are not right to shut people out of our lives. We will be hurt, we will do things and allow things that we regret. But our God is greater than those things, and he can get us through them. We are capable much greater hospitality, and we will be rewarded greatly for it.

Questions:

How could we invite more people into our homes, or display hospitality outside of home?

What is or has held us back from showing hospitality?