Why is entertaining strangers important according to Hebrews 13:2? Hebrews 13:2 at a Glance “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some have entertained angels without knowing it.” • A direct command: “Do not neglect.” • A clear motive: unseen heavenly guests may be present. • Implied promise: God notices and rewards simple acts of welcome. Entertaining Strangers in Scripture • Abraham welcomed three travelers; one was the LORD, two were angels (Genesis 18). • Lot urged two visitors to stay; they proved to be angels who rescued his family (Genesis 19). • Manoah showed honor to a stranger—again an angel announcing Samson’s birth (Judges 13). • New Testament believers opened homes to traveling teachers and missionaries (Acts 16:15, 1 John 3:5-8). God’s Heart Revealed • Love the foreigner as yourself (Leviticus 19:34). • “I was a stranger and you welcomed Me” (Matthew 25:35). • “Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality” (Romans 12:13). • “Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling” (1 Peter 4:9). Hospitality is never peripheral; it mirrors God’s own welcome to us in Christ. Why Entertaining Strangers Matters • Literal possibility of angelic visitation affirms the supernatural reality all around us. • Opens doors for Gospel witness—strangers become friends, friends hear truth. • Cultivates Christlike character: kindness, generosity, humility. • Strengthens the church; traveling believers depend on open homes. • Stores up eternal reward: “whatever good anyone does, he will receive back from the Lord” (Ephesians 6:8). Practical Ways to Live It Out • Keep an extra chair at the table—expect guests. • Budget time and resources specifically for hospitality. • Greet newcomers at church, then invite them for a meal. • Offer a spare room to missionaries, students, or those displaced. • Carry gift cards or snack bags to share with travelers and the needy. • Practice cheerful generosity—no grumbling, only gratitude. Blessings Linked to Hospitality • Unexpected encounters with God’s messengers. • Fresh joy in seeing the Lord provide for both host and guest. • A testimony that validates the message we preach. • Participation in God’s ongoing story of redemption, one meal at a time. |
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