On Sunday mornings we continue to dissect the fascinating words of the Pastor out of Hebrews. On Sunday we looked at Hebrews 13:1-6. I want to summarize the specific point about the concept of hospitality in verse two. "Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing so some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it." I want to delve deeper into this and share some thoughts with you all.
The act of hospitality is about being generous with your space. And let's be honest, it comes at a cost. This concept isn't always the most welcome – we love our privacy, our routine, our sense of security. It's in our nature to protect our spaces, to maintain a stronghold on our personal lives. But here's where faith enters the scene: it challenges us to welcome others into our space.
I know for many of us, our spaces are dear to us. You might have a room you rent, a house you share, or perhaps a place of your own. Nonetheless, everyone has a space they call their own, even if they don't pay for it directly. And the scripture invites us to be generous with these spaces.
What does being generous with your space mean? It suggests opening up your space to those you don't know very well – those whose identity could be an enigma, much like the people in the Bible who unknowingly entertained angels. This isn't just about inviting over your best friends for dinner; it's about reaching out and welcoming people you might not be entirely familiar with.
Hospitality is etched deeply into the fabric of Christian tradition, a practice we embrace because we understand it as an entrusted responsibility from God. The act of opening up your home, your sacred space, requires faith, but it's a testament to the incredible generosity of the Christian spirit.
When you think about it, the essence of the gospel is a hospitable one: God, in His ultimate generosity, welcomes us into a relationship with Him. He gives us His family, His love, and an eternal future in His presence. If there was anyone who could have shielded their space, it would have been God. And yet, He invites us in, offering us a place in His divine presence through the sacrifice of His Son.
It's a humbling realization, and I have to confess, I'm still early in my journey of learning the art of hospitality.
I pray that we continue to grow in this aspect, to live out a life of faith that involves more than just holding onto our spaces. Rather, let us be generous with the spaces that God has graciously provided us with. After all, who knows? You might just be entertaining an angel.