Three Visitors – Genesis 18: 1-15
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.”10 Then one said, “I will surely return to you in due season, and your wife Sarah shall have a son.” And Sarah was listening at the tent entrance behind him. 11 Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in age; it had ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women. 12 So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, “After I have grown old, and my husband is old, shall I have pleasure?” 13 The Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh, and say, ‘Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old?’ 14 Is anything too wonderful for the Lord? At the set time I will return to you, in due season, and Sarah shall have a son.” 15 But Sarah denied, saying, “I did not laugh”; for she was afraid. He said, “Oh yes, you did laugh.”
What does the Passage say?
V. 1 – 8 Three angels arrive at Abraham’s house. Abraham, who was near the great trees of Mamre, greets them and invites them to his house. He asks Sarah to prepare a feast to honor the guest.
V. 9- 15 They call for Sarah and tell her about the baby to be born. Sarah laughs. That makes both Abraham and Sarah laughing. Can’t blame them… since they were close to 100 years old.
What does the Passage say to me/us?
Abraham greets these three strangers to his house. Even though he later realized that they were angels sent by God, Abraham invited them, since it was a custom for the villagers to greet and offer hospitality to the travelers.
Not only that he receives the blessing and promise about his son, Issac, the Bible says, “the Lord appeared to Abraham.” (v. 1 NIV).
Does it mean that we need to open our houses and doors to all strangers? Even though I think we should, many legal issues and scary stories prevent me for say that. Although we might have to reconsider where that fear is in us, while we are heaven citizens. Also, we need to remember that 50 years ago, this was still a common practice. We can blame all the horrible stories, but still worth putting our time to think.
Now what will be a post-modern way of greeting strangers? We see it in Mattews 25:34-40
34 Then the king will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; 35 for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? 38 And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? 39 And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?’ 40 And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.’
Remember that God works through us and shines the light of Jesus through us. So shine your light today.
Prayer
Lord, helps us to see you coming in our lives in different ways. Help us to shine your light into their lives. In Christ name, AMEN.
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