Genesis 18:1-10a
1 The Lord appeared to Abraham by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the entrance of his tent in the heat of the day. 2 He looked up and saw three men standing near him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent entrance to meet them, and bowed down to the ground. 3 He said, “My lord, if I find favor with you, do not pass by your servant. 4 Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree. 5 Let me bring a little bread, that you may refresh yourselves, and after that you may pass on—since you have come to your servant.” So they said, “Do as you have said.” 6 And Abraham hastened into the tent to Sarah, and said, “Make ready quickly three measures of choice flour, knead it, and make cakes.” 7 Abraham ran to the herd, and took a calf, tender and good, and gave it to the servant, who hastened to prepare it. 8 Then he took curds and milk and the calf that he had prepared, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree while they ate.
9 They said to him, “Where is your wife Sarah?” And he said, “There, in the tent.” 10a Then one said, “I will surely return to you in due season, and your wife Sarah shall have a son.”
“… He said, “My lord, if I find favor with you, do not pass by your servant. …”
Boy Scout Troop 29 was on a multi-day hike through the mountains of central Pennsylvania. The day had started out pleasant but had turned into torrential rain. By the time we neared the end of the first day, we were soaked, tired, and hungry. Upon reaching the Highland Lake area, a local resident, seeing our condition, invited us to occupy his unoccupied rental cottage where we could dry off, fix a hot meal, and rest indoors out of the weather. It was a welcome relief.
It wasn’t long after our sojourn at that rental cottage that our scoutmaster, having gotten the name and address of the owner, encouraged all of us to write letters of appreciation. He knew that the owner did not expect anything in return. He was simply showing hospitality to a beleaguered group of scouts. However, our scoutmaster reminded us that as Abraham welcomed the strangers to rest, relax, and refresh at his tent, so this man had done for us.
Sometimes, the lessons we learn from the simplest stories in the Scriptures remind us of our call to welcome the stranger into our midst. While Abraham undoubtedly expected a blessing from the strangers he knew to be emissaries of the Lord, he nonetheless provided the rest and refreshment they need. Also, as our scoutmaster recalled the story of the Abraham, we were reminded about the importance of hospitality and the power of giving thanks.
Prayer: Lord, you remind us through the Word that at times, when we welcome the stranger, we are entertaining angels unawares. Teach me the twin lessons of hospitality and thankfulness. Amen.