Hospitality
Hebrews 13:1 (NIV)
“Keep on loving each other as brothers. Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.”
The 1930s: the doorbell of the watchmakers shop rings on and off during the day. Father Ten Boom welcomes all his customers in a friendly manner. The watch that doesn’t work too well anymore is not the primary reason the customers decide to visit the watchmakers shop. They have come to share their questions and sorrows and to ask Father for his advice. Father listens, gives advice where needed and prays when people want him to. Often he invites people to go to the dining room where Aunt Anna, the sister of Corrie’s mother, gives them a hot cup of soup. In this way, even before the war starts, the foundation is laid for people to trust and enjoy the hospitality of the family Ten Boom.
From 1941 onwards the Nazi regime starts to send letters to the Jewish people to order them to go on transport. The Nazis pretend it is to provide work and food for the Jewish people. But many of the Jews already know that it is about the extermination of the whole Jewish population. To whom can they go for help? Can they knock on every average door in their street? No, you wouldn’t do that! But you will knock on those doors of those people who proved to be faithful and hospitable before wartime. More than eight hundred people find help and protection at the house of the family Ten Boom.
To Reflect upon
It is important to be faithful and trustworthy in everyday life without wanting to stand out. It is not about getting honor, credits or attention but about being faithful with a compassionate heart. Even if hardly anyone notices.
Prayer
Thank You Lord that You call us to be hospitable and to love one another. Give us an open heart and attitude, so that it may come true what You say: “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40).
“Let love of the brethren continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it. Remember the prisoners, as though in prison with them, and those who are ill-treated, since you yourselves also are in the body. Marriage is to be held in honor among all, and the marriage bed is to be undefiled; for fornicators and adulterers God will judge. Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,” so that we confidently say, “The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What will man do to me?” Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Do not be carried away by varied and strange teachings; for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, through which those who were so occupied were not benefited. We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat. For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the holy place by the high priest as an offering for sin, are burned outside the camp. Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people through His own blood, suffered outside the gate. So, let us go out to Him outside the camp, bearing His reproach. For here we do not have a lasting city, but we are seeking the city which is to come. Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name. And do not neglect doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you. Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a good conscience, desiring to conduct ourselves honorably in all things. And I urge you all the more to do this, so that I may be restored to you the sooner. Now the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, even Jesus our Lord, equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen. But I urge you, brethren, bear with this word of exhortation, for I have written to you briefly. Take notice that our brother Timothy has been released, with whom, if he comes soon, I will see you. Greet all of your leaders and all the saints. Those from Italy greet you. Grace be with you all.”
Hebrews 13:1-25 NASB1995
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