Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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Hospitality of Abraham to his Visitors
Genesis 18: 1-18
 
V 14: Is anything too hard for the Lord? 
 

This passage speaks about another intervention of God in the life of Abraham and Sarah. Three men visited Abraham's household and he immediately welcomed them and extended a prompt and generous hospitality. When Abraham saw these three men, he recognized that the Lord was appearing before him. Sometimes Abraham addressed them in the singular form, my Lord (v.3) and sometimes in the plural form (v. 4 & 5). The Lord can appear in any form He chooses - including a smoking firepot with a blazing torch (Gen. 15: 17) or even a burning bush (Ex. 3:2). Here I would like to focus on two aspects
 

  1. Strange Visitors and Generous Hospitality 
Three men visited Abraham without prior notice or intimation. They suddenly appeared to him by the oaks of Memre while he was sitting at the tent door in the heat of the day (v.1). But the response of Abraham is noteworthy. He showed kindness and entertained them to their unspeakable honour and satisfaction. Even though Abraham was a wealthy and powerful man, he behaved like a humble servant. Forgetting his age and limitations he ran to meet them in the most obliging manner and with all due courtesy. Abraham and Sarah were busy in accommodating their guests with the best they had. Christ himself taught us to wash one another's feet. How are we today? Are we humble and hospitable? We need to improve good manners, learn to honour all people and be kind and generous even to the strangers.
 
  1. Human Improbability and Divine Possibility

 The heavenly guests return his kindness. Abraham received the Angels and in return got a gracious message from heaven. The good news of the promise of a son. But Sarah could not believe it and so she laughed within herself. This was laughter of doubting and mistrust. She was over concerned about her age and the inability of childbearing. There comes the question: Is anything too hard for the Lord? Sarah didn't believe that the Lord could enable barren women to have a child. The human improbability often sets up in contradiction to the divine promise. Our unbelief and mistrust are a great offence to the God of heaven. Nothing is impossible for God. In Mark 10: 27 Jesus said, 'With people it is impossible, but not with God, for all things are possible with God'. Centuries later, the Lord could enable the barren Elizabeth to give birth to John the Baptist and a virgin to give birth to Jesus Christ. Let’s trust and believe God. He can make wonders in our life

 
PRAYER
Help us O Lord to respect the other and to accept people. Enable us to have faith in Divine possibilities even in the midst of human impossibilities. Amen.
 
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY 
Do we show hospitality to strangers?
 
Dr. Reena Geevarghese W/O Rev. K.E Geevarghese, Kuttapuzha Jerusalem MTC, Tiruvalla.
 
Christian Education Forum, Diocese of NAE of the Mar Thoma Church

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