The author of the book of Hebrews in the Bible urges his readers to be hospitable – or in his words – to entertain strangers.  And he’s not the only writer in the Bible to urge us to be welcoming of others.  The apostle Paul tells us in his letter to the Romans to “practice hospitality”.  The apostle Peter tells us to “offer hospitality to one another.”

Of course it’s not always easy in all circumstances to be hospitable.  It takes time and effort.  I guess that’s why the apostle Peter adds the rider that we should do it “...without grumbling!”  That makes good sense.  Stone the crows!  How would you like to accept an invitation to come for a barbeque but when you arrive I spend all my time grumbling about the cost of the meat.  That’s not exactly going to make you feel welcome in my home, is it?

The writer to the Hebrews also adds an incentive to encourage us to be hospitable.  He says, “For in this way some folk have entertained angels without being aware of it.”  He’s alluding to the patriarch Abraham who invited three men to lunch one day only to find later that they were angels.

Hospitality is a two-way street – in more ways than one.

It’s a two-way street in that generosity of spirit is needed from both sides.  Let me explain.  I once invited someone to come and share a meal with us but he declined.  At first I was tempted to wonder whether there was something weird about me that led him to decline but then I figured that he was possibly somewhat overwhelmed by the idea of having a meal with the Pastor and his family.  However the upshot was that we missed the opportunity of a wonderful evening together and I considered that a personal loss.  Hospitality not only has to be offered, it also needs to be received.

Hospitality is also a two-way street in that it brings blessings to both parties.  I like that little incentive in the book of Hebrews: In this way some have entertained angels without knowing it.  Okay... I don’t think I’ve ever really had an angel join us for dinner (at least, not one with wings) but I have fond memories of some very angelic human beings whom it was a wonderful privilege to feed and entertain.  Some left lasting impressions in my mind.

But it also works the other way.  While in Ontario (Canada) we attended church one Sunday morning in a small town on our way to Ottawa.  After church we got talking to a couple who were about our age.  They invited us back to their home for a cuppa.  We enjoyed their company and towards midday made ready to continue our journey.  They insisted that we stay for some lunch.  We allowed them to twist our arms so we ate and continued to talk about a lot of things in which we had common interests.  It was with a shock that we suddenly realised that the afternoon had almost passed and we still had quite some travelling to do.  As we eventually continued our journey we talked about the wonderful time of fellowship we had enjoyed with these people and how it seemed as if we had known them for years.

It’s a pity that in our culture hospitality has become institutionalised.  Everyone these days knows all about the “hospitality industry”.  We live in a society where a man’s home is his castle and many of us don’t take easily to opening up our homes to others.  I’ve also heard the many excuses over the years: Our house is too untidy to invite people over; I’m not a good cook; we like to keep to ourselves; I wouldn’t know how to entertain someone for an evening.

So what are we going to do with the Bible’s call for us to practice hospitality?  And please remember it doesn’t just do that once but three times.  Maybe we need to find some creative ways to overcome our excuses.  Because the point is that God is hospitable.  If you don’t believe that, look around you.  He’s invited you to share the world that belongs to Him and to eat and drink from the abundance that He provides.  And as if that isn’t enough Jesus has invited us to a great party at the end of the ages when He returns.

When we are hospitable we reflect the character of our God.

John Westendorp