The next duty of a Christian mentioned in Hebrews 13:2 is the admonition to be hospitable. As with the other verses seen in this passage, it stands alone as a command. The writer teaches us to remember to entertain strangers. Strangers in this passage would be those we do not know personally. Those who were brethren that may have been scattered without a home due to persecution. We are to give of our resources to help take care of the necessities. This would include shelter and food. We are to entertain them in our homes. This would definitely apply to missionaries, but it certainly is not limited to them. There is a reference here to Genesis chapters 18 and 19 where Abraham and Lot were visited by angels. It is not impossible for God to use angels to visit us, but it is more probable that He would use people to speak God’s word into our lives. Angels were messengers, but now we are to be messengers for God. In Matthew 10:40, Jesus said, “He that receives you receives me.” He goes on to say that when we receive a prophet or a righteous man, we will receive a reward. In Mark 9:41 Jesus says whoever gives a cup of cold water to someone in His name will receive a reward.
Romans 12:13 “Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.”
Hebrews 13:2 “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares”
Matthew 10:40-41 “He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me. He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward, and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward.”
Mark 9:41 “For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.”
We find in I Peter 4:9, that we are to show hospitality to one another. We are not to have a begrudging attitude or do it out of duty, but out of love for our fellow man and love for our Lord. The Greek word for grudging means murmuring, meaning we shouldn’t complain or express the showing of hospitality as a hardship. We shouldn’t say or think things such as, it costs too much, takes too much time, or it is a lot of trouble to do. We are to want to do for others. If we have the brotherly love that is noted in verse 1 and yesterday’s devotion, we can do it cheerfully expressing a genuine concern and love for others. We are to make others feel welcome in our homes. Our homes should be a sanctuary for our families and our guests. We live in a tough sinful world and our homes should be a refuge of love and comfort to all who enter.
I Peter 4:9 “Use hospitality one to another without grudging.”
These verses should challenge us to be ready to show hospitality any time God provides the opportunity. Hospitality does not need to be an elaborate meal or a perfect house. People don’t care what you have, they care that you care. In times past I have served hot dogs and chili for dinner, and everyone was happy and full when they left. Do I try to do my best and make good meals when we have company? Yes, because I want my guests to know they are special to me. However, when time or money will not permit a full meal, a hot dog will do just fine. Hospitality is about the love, respect, and concern you show to others in Jesus’ name and it is commanded by God. It is our duty and our privilege.
