When you hear God's Word say, “Let love of the brethren continue,” what do you think of first, warm feelings of affection or certain actions? The writer to the Hebrews follows those words with encouragement to two actions. They both require time and planning. Both are costly. Both are things that can easily be avoided and few will notice. They are both what Christ has done for us. First is hospitality, a universally praised virtue. Provide a bed, serve a meal, invite a stranger or friend into your house. “I was a stranger and you took me in,” Jesus will say on the Day of Judgment. Will he say it to you? Jesus right now preparing a home for us. Second is visiting people, especially those in prison. Jesus left the glories of heaven to become a servant on earth. He visited us when we were low. The sick and infirm are prisoners of a sort, and we can visit them. In other countries, some are in prison for the sake of Christ. We should remember them as we can. To whom do we owe hospitality and visiting? Our brothers. “Let love of the brethren continue.” |
