When Angels Come Calling

Scripture: Don’t neglect to show hospitality, for by doing this some have welcomed angels as guests without knowing it. Hebrews 13:2

Observation: In his final encouragement to the Jews regarding how to proceed as the church of Jesus, the writer includes this instruction ... to show hospitality even to strangers because it is possible that the strangers are actually angels.

This seems absurd until one remembers that this happened in scriptures multiple times. Lot's visitors in Sodom, Abraham's strangers at his camp, Joshua's lone warrior, Mary's visitor, the disciples themselves at the ascension, John on Patmos. Angels appear, sometime to bring messages, and sometimes to examine a situation. In most cases, the angels await to be recognized and acknowledged - to be addressed and spoken to in a friendly manner - before proceeding with the message or mission. In a couple circumstances, they take no meaningful action nor give any word until after they have been shown hospitality.

The author of Hebrews is simply saying that this still occurs. We do not know when and where it happens, but do not neglect strangers because it would be quite embarrassing if you neglected an angel.

Application: I have thought about this before ... have angels ever attended our church's light show? Did our team receive them and welcome them? Were we hospitable? Was I there? Did I do it? Or did we fall short? Did I fail? Did I ignore an angel, or worse find myself too tired/distracted at the moment and consciously bypassed them?

I do want to care for strangers. That is a difficult proposition these days. We rightly worry about the true motives of strangers seeking help. We are overwhelmed by ever increasing issues and need. We have concerns about reactions related to certain words or actions that have become misunderstood in our politically correct society. As a result, we enter conversations hesitantly and with reserve, or we hold back and await a more obvious and explicit indication of an openness to hospitality. It is hard to comprehend the idea of inviting wandering strangers into your home for the night.

That said, we can succeed with kindness at events. I will stay focused on serving others in those situations. I would love to serve an angel. However, I will ensure that I also love serving all of God's beloved people.

Prayer: Lord, as we continue through the Christmas season, may we serve you by serving others. Help us all - myself, my wife, and my brothers and sisters in Christ - to find the joy, love, and strength to be your hands and feet. Amen.