|
Genesis 18:1-8 – And the Lord appeared to [Abraham] by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the door of his tent in the heat of the day. He lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing in front of him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them and bowed himself to the earth and said, “O Lord, if I have found favor in Your sight, do not pass by Your servant. Let a little water be brought, and wash Your feet, and rest Yourselves under the tree, while I bring a morsel of 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.” And Abraham went quickly into the tent to Sarah and said, “Quick! Three seahs of fine flour! Knead it, and make cakes.” And Abraham ran to the herd and took a calf, tender and good, and gave it to a young man, who prepared it quickly. 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.
Have you ever thought of what you would do if the Lord came to visit your house? Abraham actually had that opportunity. The Lord and two angels came to visit, and it sure looks like Abraham realized who he was entertaining! He ran out and bowed as humbly as he could possibly bow. Then he offered the best he could to his visitors—rest, and water for their tired, dirty feet, and enough food to feed an army. And he himself stood by them during the meal, like a servant would stand, anxious to bring anything else that could possibly make them more comfortable.
If you’re like me, you’re probably nodding your head. Yes, that’s the right way to treat the Lord. But then, what do we do with the mirror image of this meal? Because that’s what we see on the night before Jesus died—when the Lord Himself rose from the meal, took off His outer robe, and wrapped a towel around His waist like a servant, before He started washing His disciples’ feet? And not content with that, He feasted them like kings—for He gave them His own body and blood for food that night, when He instituted Communion. That is Jesus’ own idea of hospitality!
And He offers that hospitality to you and me today, whenever He forgives our sins, whenever He brings us to His gift of Communion. Jesus recognizes the people He’s showing hospitality to—He knows that we are sinners. But He also knows that we are the people He loves and wants to make His own—even though it costs Him His life. Through His suffering, death, and resurrection, Jesus brings us home to God as His own people, to be His welcome guests in His kingdom.
WE PRAY: Dear Lord, be at home in my heart, and let me make You welcome there. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Reflection Questions:
- What do you usually do for guests who visit you?
- What would you serve Jesus if He came to visit your home?
- Jesus said He was going to get things ready for us in His Father’s house (see John 14:2). What do you imagine that will be like?
|
