Hospitality

Genesis 18:1–8 (ESV) And the Lord appeared to him by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the door of his tent in the heat of the day. 2 He lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing in front of him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them and bowed himself to the earth 3 and said, “O Lord, if I have found favor in your sight, do not pass by your servant. 4 Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree, 5 while I bring a morsel of bread, that you may refresh yourselves, and after that you may pass on—since you have come to your servant.” So they said, “Do as you have said.” 6 And Abraham went quickly into the tent to Sarah and said, “Quick! Three seahs of fine flour! Knead it, and make cakes.” 7 And Abraham ran to the herd and took a calf, tender and good, and gave it to a young man, who prepared it quickly. 8 Then he took curds and milk and the calf that he had prepared, and set it before them. And he stood by them under the tree while they ate.

One thing is for sure about this moment: we see the incredible hospitality of Abraham in clear description. He gave these strangers the finest meal you could imagine in the ancient near east. A young calf was a fancy meal in those days (and still today - veal parmigiana anyone?). 

Abraham's actions were rare but Abraham is not your average person. He goes above and beyond. He hosts the men with the finest meal and makes their stay as pleasant as possible, showing respect, generosity and kindness.

Notice the way Abraham makes room for the men, not even yet realizing that one of them is the LORD Himself! That's the benefit of being friendly to strangers, you never know who you're being friendly toward and they may just change your life. A welcome embrace to someone new in your life could be just what the Lord ordered up for you!

But this teaches us a valuable lesson about human interactions. The world is full of racial tensions, socio-economic hostilities, national and religious conflicts. What if we all treated those who we didn't know or perhaps just met like Abraham does with the three strangers in Genesis 18?

What a different world we could have!

It starts with those who are Christian. 


Hebrews 13:1–2 (ESV) Let brotherly love continue. 2 Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

We are the ones who have been treated better by God. While we here His enemies, Christ died for us. Christ told the disciples they were His friends knowing full well later that night they would soon abandon His side in the Garden of Gethsemane. We treat others with gracious hospitality and love because that is how our God chose to treat us! This is why Jesus even calls us to love our enemies. He knows that what made the difference in our eternal reality, we must therefore pass it on.

Is there someone you need to love who may be totally unworthy of it right now?