How is your hospitality? Do you think of hospitality as being a host of a big party? Are you only hospitable to people you know? Are you only willing to be hospitable who can repay you at some point later? Have you ever invited a stranger into your home?
Hospitality is taken to a high level by some. They throw large parties. They pull out all the stops. They provide the best meals and desserts. They invite all the popular people. To be on their guest list is to be part of the whose who in town. Yet, that isn’t what we are encouraged to do.
The writer of Hebrews says to show mutual affection to one another. He tells us to show hospitality. But it’s not hospitality to the popular people or the people we know. We are to show hospitality to strangers. He says by doing so, some have entertained angels. Wow!
This is an encouragement to take care of those in need. Why? In the first century, travelers often relied on people hosting them. Not every town had a hotel. Often, people would allow travelers to stay in a stable (think Mary and Joseph). The host would also provide a meal or two for the stranger.
Today, we don’t rely on people to allow us to stay in their home when we travel. We either arrange to stay with family, book a hotel room, or we may even rent a house. So, how do we apply this to our time? We can still show hospitality to those in need. We can welcome them into our churches. We can provide them with clothing, food, housing, or whatever it is they need. If we do, we are fulfilling the directive to show hospitality.
I pray we all show affection to one another. I pray we care for one another. I pray each one of us will determine to show hospitality and care for people in need. Show mutual affection. Care for one another. Show hospitality to people in need. Know you will be blessed for doing so.
Hebrews 13:1-2 Let mutual affection continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.
Marty Pressey 