In the New Testament Epistle to the Hebrews, the Apostle Paul encourages all those who follow Jesus, and who also consider themselves to be Christians, to let brotherly love continue (Hebrews 13:1). Due to the spiritual importance concerning the virtue of brotherly love, St. Paul goes on to provide an example of this neighborly affection by relating how critical it is for believers to embrace and welcome strangers. For Paul’s guidance would not only have us demonstrate hospitality to those we know personally, but to even extend our charity towards those who we don’t know, individuals that we would regard as strangers. For as the Apostle speaks, “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares” (Hebrews 13:2). This reference concerning those who have been unaware that they were in fact entertaining angels and not humans is taken directly from the 18th chapter in the book of Genesis, where we see the patriarch Abraham providing hospitality to what appeared to be three men. However, tradition tells us that these three men were actually angels. Going further, it is also believed that one of these three divine beings was none other than the pre-incarnate Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ. And since Christ is numbered along with the two other angels, then this heavenly encounter would signify an Old Testament vision of the Holy Trinity, or what scholars refer to as a Theophany.
Continuing in Genesis, we find that the patriarch Jacob when preparing to reunite with his brother Esau, was also visited by the angels of God (Genesis 32:1). So it would appear that just as humans have shown hospitality towards angels, in turn angels on many occasions have blessed human beings and ministered unto the sons of men when they cried out unto the Lord God for help. For the Gospel teaches that even Christ Himself, after His temptation in the wilderness, was ministered to by angels (Matthew 4:11). Additionally, Biblical accounts of hospitality do not terminate between angels and men, but also transpire among people to people. For example, when the prophet Elijah was sent to the widow of Zidon, Elijah asked her to give him some water and to make a little cake for him. The widow only had a small amount of meal and oil left to feed her and her young son, but being moved by the prophet’s encouragement the widow of Zidon hearkened to word of the Lord, spoken by Elijah. As a result of her hospitality, the widow and her son, and Elijah were all able to eat for many days. The barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the LORD, which He spake by Elijah (1 Kings 17:9-16). This miracle occurred by both the woman’s faith and her hospitality, a selfless act which serves as an example for all believers to follow.
Now that we have covered examples from the Old Testament which highlight the virtue of hospitality, lets us now look into the New Testament where we witness acts of charity and the works of tender mercies. For as we previously reviewed St. Paul’s guidance in the Epistle to the Hebrews of how Christians should have brotherly love towards one another, the Apostle also makes the point that a true believer must also be given to hospitality (Romans 12:13). When outlining the traits that make for a good bishop of the Church, St. Paul insists that along with being sober and apt to teach, a bishop must also be no stranger in showing hospitality (I Timothy 3:2). When examining the Gospels, it is clear that all throughout the life of Christ, Jesus not only commanded His followers to love one another, but the Lord Himself demonstrated hospitality by His own actions and by His perfect example. For instance, not only did the Lord provide a complimentary meal for His followers in the miracle of the feeding of the 5,000, but Christ went even further and humbled Himself by washing His disciples feet (John 13:5). These selfless acts of charity and mercy towards His creation, reveal the pure and holy love which God has for each and every one of us. Since man is created in the image of God, the Lord in turn gave mankind commandments, which when followed properly truly make mortal men children of God. The Lord wants His children to be hospitable to one another, because God is also given to hospitality.
In conclusion, from what has been expressed in this analysis of Biblical hospitality it is evident that by trusting in God all things do indeed work out for those who follow the Lord’s commandments. For the Lord would have us lend to others, even if we only have a little for ourselves. The point in giving hospitality is to demonstrate kindness towards our fellow man, so that by making a personal sacrifice the other party involved may benefit. For as the Lord said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). For by making a sacrifice we are humbled, and when this sweet aroma of humility has ascended up unto the heavens, the Lord becomes moved with compassion and pours out His mercy upon us. For when God sees that we love others then our love for God has been proven, and we pass the test of our faith. So, offering hospitality is indeed a very liberating exercise, an act which opens the eyes of our heart and reveals to us that there is much to be gained spirituality by sacrificing materially.