Wednesday after the Ninth Sunday after Trinity, 8/23/00Hebrews 13: 2 Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels. --NKJV
In the name of the One Who loves even strangers, amen.
Our folklore is full of stories about famous people meeting ordinary people without them knowing it. We have a prince and a pauper trading places, Howard Hughes out hitchhiking, and Elvis working at gas stations among others. We even have the wisdom of the motivational speakers that says, "A stranger is a friend I haven't met yet." In spite of these things we are often rude to strangers.
But strangers are people whom Christ died for. They are people who need to know the Gospel for their salvation. And if that isn't enough motivation for us to be kind to strangers, God reminds us that we never know who a stranger might be. They just might be a messenger from God Himself, who brings us the good news of forgiveness in Christ Jesus. Amen.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, it is Your desire that we be kind to all people, even strangers. Forgive us for the times that we have been rude to them. Help us to remember that they are people that Jesus died for. Help us to treat all people as if they were sent to us by You, amen.
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