Hebrews 13 reminds me of visiting family. We are spread out across the nation, so we often stay in their homes. If we stay long, it is more comfortable for everyone if we help keep things tidy and take on some simple chores. Helping with little things makes our time together more pleasant. Today’s lesson is about being good guests. The final chapter begins, “Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters”. Familiarity can breakdown respectful boundaries, which can cause friction. We need to be intentional about blessing those closest to us. Next, he adds an intriguing idea: “show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it”. In chapter 1, the author called angels ministering spirits sent to serve. Do angels visit? Perhaps. In an age of skepticism and fear, a heavenly mindset toward strangers might make us more prone to treating everyone with kindness. He adds two other groups that need extra compassion: “those in prison” and “those who are mistreated”. It is easy to silently shun people after they are accused; it takes courage to stand against the mob.
Next, he exalts marriage; saying it “should be honored by all”. Marriage is more than a legal transaction, or government sanctioned union. It was created by God as a symbol of the permanence we are to enjoy with Him. It is foundational to strong families. He insists, we are to keep “the marriage bed pure”. Many homes have been torn apart by not protecting the exclusivity of the marriage bed. He seems to link another concept that can also mess with unity. “Keep your lives free from the love of money… be content with what you have”. Roaming eyes keep looking for something better, feeding dissatisfaction. He includes one of God’s binding promises: “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you”. Every person in our life will fall short; but God steadfastly remains faithful. In times of doubt, look up! “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid”. Is doubt making you restless?
He includes another guideline for cordial company. “Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you”. At a minimum, we need to thank people that have fed us. One of the highest complements we can give anyone is to “imitate their faith”. Things change over time, but forgiveness and restoration are new every morning: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever”. This inviting truth keeps us from getting “carried away by all kinds of strange teachings”. It is important to keep it simple while away from home. He tells us all, “It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace”. That means we are less bothered by others when we remember the forgiveness we have received.
He closes the chapter and book with a few final requests of those that desire family harmony. Each of us ought to “continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise”. Praise goes beyond giving thanks and beyond publicly acknowledging His provision. We are encouraged when we speak of His amazing works: “the fruit of lips that openly profess his name”. Our reaction to this incomprehensible gift is to “do good and to share with others”. We can freely share physical blessings as well as the knowledge of salvation. He also instructs believers to honor their church leaders: “submit to their authority… so that their work will be a joy”. He asks one thing for himself: “Pray for us”, that they would “desire to live honorably in every way”. His final prayer is for us: “may the God of peace… equip you… for doing His will”. Have you grown weary of religious obligations? Relax, we just need to keep things tidy while visiting!