Beloved, you are acting faithfully in whatever you accomplish for the brethren, and especially when they are strangers; and they have testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God.

3 John 1:5-6

We often talk about Hebrews 13:2 when we talk about hospitality because we like the idea of having an angel over for dinner and the Lord being impressed with our hospitality.

There is a much more tangible and I would say more likely scenario: we could be dealing with a fellow believer. The Church John wrote to in his third epistle we have was hospitable to people even when they didn’t know them. They weren’t concerned with a letter of recommendation or a reputation before they reached out to show love.

Instead, John praised them saying that their hospitality was worthy of God! What a great reputation to have. Imagine if we were well-known for extending kindness. I hope we can be, individually as well as as a congregation.

Ethan Kirl

Originally Published August 26, 2020