Genesis 18:1-8. 1And the Lord appeared to him by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the door of his tent in the heat of the day. 2He lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing in front of him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them and bowed himself to the earth 3and said, “O Lord, if I have found favor in your sight, do not pass by your servant. 4Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree, 5while I bring a morsel of 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.” 6And Abraham went quickly into the tent to Sarah and said, “Quick! Three seahs of fine flour! Knead it, and make cakes.” 7And Abraham ran to the herd and took a calf, tender and good, and gave it to a young man, who prepared it quickly. 8Then 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. 9They said to him, “Where is Sarah your wife?” And he said, “She is in the tent.” 10The Lord said, “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife shall have a son.”
Do you like going over to other people’s houses? Do you like having people over to your house? Abraham and Sarah did. According to Jewish tradition, Abraham and Sarah were famous for their hospitality. Do you know what hospitality is? Hospitality is when you welcome people into your house. In the culture of Abraham’s day this was a very big deal. Having people stay at your tent or house was considered one of the most important things you could do.
And according to legend, Abraham and Sarah did it very well. It is said that they had a nice big tent that opened up on all four sides. Mr. and Mrs. Abraham would invite all travelers into their home for needed rest, food, and even to talk about God. But what if God is the one travelling by?
That’s what happened in Genesis 18.
Remember Abraham is old, 99 years old, and it’s hot outside. But still Abraham is in the door of his tent looking for any strangers that might pass by. And there they are! Three of them. Abe is so excited that he runs out to them and begs them to stay with him (anything less would be bad form in this culture).
What happens next is a model for us in family hospitality. Abraham and Sarah working together in a flurry of activity, to take care of their guests, making sure that they are honored by their extravagant kindness. Water. Foot washing. Steaks on the grill. Bread. Milk and curds. This is a feast that is prepared for these strangers.
The New Testament book of Hebrews tells us that when we take care of strangers, we may be taking care of angels without knowing it. But what about taking care of God? That’s who Abraham is welcoming into his tent. The Lord himself.
Genesis 18:10. The Lord said…
When Genesis 18:1 says that the Lord appeared to Abraham at the oaks of Mamre, this is not in a dream or vision. This is God in the flesh at Abraham’s doorstep. Thee “men” came to see him and one of them is actually Jesus! Long before he became a baby in a manger at Christmas time, and long before he would die on the cross for our sins, Jesus came to Abraham to deliver a message. What message? Sarah will have a baby – The Lord said, “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife shall have a son.”
Wow! Jesus, whose birth will be a miracle too, is telling his “grandmother” Sarah that she will have a miraculous baby.
This incredible visit of Jesus to Abraham and Sarah is a preview of when Jesus will come to Earth as a baby at Christmastime. Just like he did with Abraham and Sarah, Jesus will come to us, eat with us, and make promises to us.
This story of Jesus visiting Abraham and Sarah also reminds us of the night that Jesus died on the cross. Abraham will wash Jesus feet in Genesis 18, but on the night he died, Jesus will wash his disciple’s feet. Abraham served Jesus a meal. But at the Last Supper, Jesus will serve his disciples a meal. On this day in Genesis, Abraham will offer rest to Jesus in his home, and one day Jesus will offer all of us rest in his home with us.
Literally, what Abraham and Sarah are doing for this stranger, they are doing for Jesus. They are doing for him what he will do for all of us one day. They are doing for him what we should be doing for others – welcoming others into our lives, giving kindness, rest, and love.
You: Do you like it when people come to your house to rest and be taken care of? Do you see it as taking care of Jesus too?
You with Jesus: How has Jesus welcomed you into his house? How does Jesus spiritually wash our feet and feed us?
Prayer: Father, you sent your son, Jesus, to visit us and save us. Now I can live in your house forever. Help me not to pass by others in need. Who knows one might be your messenger sent to offer grace and kindness. Amen.
TLICfamily 