ENTERTAINING ANGELS

Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.

Hebrews 13:2

Abraham and Lot lived as strangers in a strange land. They made their living throughout Canaan grazing their herds and living off the land. God had promised Abraham that his descendants would live in that land, but it was just Abraham and his extended family at that moment. Both Abraham and Lot, in their own circumstances, showed hospitality to strangers. Abraham welcomed the three guests that came to his camp and he fed them. (Later he found out that these were heavenly guests.) Lot welcomed the angels God sent to Sodom to warn him about its destruction. They had the opportunity to welcome angels. God blessed them immensely through those visitors.

While inviting complete strangers into our homes might seem a bit odd, try to think of ways that you can show hospitality to strangers? You can be kind and compassionate to all people, especially to those in need. You can use those connections you make to reflect and speak about the kindness and compassion of your Savior. You can look for the visitor at church and challenge your “comfort zone” by introducing yourself and welcoming them. Maybe you can even invite them out to brunch after church! If they are already members, just acknowledge that and seek to get to know them better. You can be willing to help others in need – wisely and appropriately. You can strike up conversations with your physical neighbors so they learn to trust you when you tell them how much your church home means to you. You can make intentional connects with other school and preschool families asking them questions that will lead you to serve them in the best way. You can give up your prime “back row seat” when you see guests with young children walk in. You can help the new person navigate church and worship for the first time.

Pray for opportunities to reflect the love of Jesus in your hospitality towards others. While it would be neat to find out in heaven that you had entertained angels here on earth at some point, even better would be to entertain a fellow sinner in need of a Savior. Help them. Encourage them with God’s love in Christ. May God use you to open a door for someone to hear the gospel and learn of their Savior. Angel or not, our Savior’s will is that we show hospitality to strangers. We were once strangers and enemies of God. But he brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves. He has given you a place in his family as his child. There’s always room for more.