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Hebrews 13 ² Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

We have started a series of studies from the 13 chapter of Hebrews last week. We have seen the most important conduct of the believer is that we should have brotherly love towards our brothers and sisters in the Lord. And we should continue to love them irrespective of their response. This is not easy but it is God’s will for us. May we always aim at doing unto others, not as they have done to us but rather, as we would have them do unto us and as God has done to us.  Especially in the church this is absolutely essential.

Next we are told how to treat strangers.

Hebrews 13 ² Be not forgetful to entertain strangers:

A word about not forgetting. We may know what God wants us to do but we may forget. We may later be reminded and feel sorry. We may forget God’s kindness to us and be unkind to others. We may forget God’s commands and fail to love others. Therefore we must always remind ourselves.

  One basic way that we remind ourselves is through the Word of God. We should always read the Bible. When we do that we are reminded of God’s will for us. That is the reason it was written.

Philippians 3 ¹Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe.

2 Peter 1 ¹² Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth.  ¹³ Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance; ¹⁴ Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me.  ¹⁵ Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance.

2 Peter 3 ¹This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:  ² That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour:

Jude 1 ⁵ I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not.

Going to church and listening to God’s Word with a willing heart will help us stay in God’s will. That is what God’s servants are told to preach and teach in the church.

1 Timothy 4 ⁶ If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.

1 Corinthians 4¹⁷ For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church.

2 Timothy 2¹⁴ Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.

Even we forget we can be brought back to the right way. A good servant of the Lord will always teach and remind God’s people of these things.

Also the Lord’s  table reminds us that we are sinners and it is the kindness of God that has saved us. Therefore believer’s should prayerfully participate in the Lord’s table.

1 Corinthians 11²⁵ After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.

The Holy Spirit also reminds us in our thoughts and teaches us to love others.

John 14²⁶ But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

When we are reminded to forgive, be kind and helpful, especially when the Lord reminds us scriptures, let us understand that it is the Holy Spirit speaking to us in our spirit.

Hebrews 13 ² Be not forgetful to entertain strangers

God’s people should love the brotherhood. We should show hospitality to everyone. Hospatality is costly comes with a price and therefore naturally we don’t like to go out of our way to entertain others. But we should show hospitality.

1 Peter 4⁹ Use hospitality one to another without grudging.

Romans 12 ¹³ Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.

But we Christians should entertain strangers also. That means to show hospitality to people we don’t know. Usually it seems unnecessary and even risky to have anything to do with people we don’t know. We only are interested in taking care of our own people. But God’s will is that we show hospitality to even people we don’t know.

Being hospitable to strangers is possible only if we remember God’s kindness to us. God told the children of Israel to be kind to strangers because they also were strangers in Egypt.

Exodus 22 ²¹ Thou shalt neither vex a stranger, nor oppress him: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.

Exodus 23 ⁹ Also thou shalt not oppress a stranger: for ye know the heart of a stranger, seeing ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.

Leviticus 19 ³⁴ But the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.

Deuteronomy 10¹⁹ Love ye therefore the stranger: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.

Even we Christians were strangers to the common wealth and covenants of Israel but God through Christ’s death brought us near and made us the household of God.

Ephesians 2¹² That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:  ¹³ But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

By being kind and helpful to strangers we are different from people of the world who love only their own or only the people from whom they hope to be benefitted from. By hospitality we glorify God. That is how we are a light in a lost world. That is how we show the love of God for lost mankind. There are many instances of people who showed hospitality to robbers who came to rob their homes, which resulted in the conversion of the robbers.

Hebrews 13 ² Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

He says that when we entertain strangers without our knowledge we sometimes entertain angels. What an amazing thing. Like Lot who did not know that the two men who came to Sodom were actually angels, but was willing to take them under his roof even at the expense of invoking the wrath of the Sodomites.

Matthew 25³⁷ Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?  ³⁸ When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?  ³⁹ Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?  ⁴⁰ And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

There is a story of a man who was told by the Lord that He would come to his house as a guest. He prepares a great meal and house and was waiting for his esteemed guest. But in the mean time a beggar came and he told the beggar to come back later as he was waiting for a guest. Next a poor old lady came and she was sent away the same way. Then a hungry child came and he sent him away. But the Lord did not come. And this man was very sad. He cried to Lord, ‘Lord why didn’t you come to visit me?’ the Lord answered, thrice I came to your house and you sent me away. It was the Lord who visited him as a beggar, an old woman and the hungry child. May we never mis an opportunity to serve our fellow human beings and even our heavenly visitors. May we be people of kindness. God bless you!