Hebrews 13:1-3

Summary retelling of Hebrews 13:1-3

We are to continue in brotherly love.  We are to look for opportunities to show hospitality to those we do not know – for we never really know to whom we are showing hospitality.  We are to remember those who are mistreated and imprisoned – especially people who are done so in bodily form – for we are all a part of the same body.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Love.  There are many aspects of love.  There is passion.  There is compassion.  There is blind love.  The love that we are speaking about here is brotherly love.  Brotherly love is a genuine desire for peace among us and the people around us.  Brotherly love is the desire for what is truly best for each other (but not necessarily what we want).  We should look for the opportunity to be God’s blessing in the lives of each other.

Do you genuinely love the people around you with brotherly love?  What keeps us from feeling brotherly love?

Second Thought:

Hospitality is giving of ourselves so that others may be refreshed.  Life is difficult for everyone; we should look for ways to relieve the burdens of other people.  We never know to whom we are being hospitable.  We very well could be hospitable to people that God has sent to us to see if we were willing to be hospitable or not.  In general, it is best to be in the practice of hospitality so that we act in ways that God approves.

Are you a hospitable person?  What prevents you from being hospitable when you should?

Third Thought:

We are to remember our brothers and sisters who are mistreated.  We are to watch after those people who are in prison – especially if they have been imprisoned on account of their faith.  We are to live as though we ourselves are imprisoned with them.  In other words, we are to love them and be hospitable to them in their struggle.

How do you help people who are oppressed?  What is the danger of helping people who are oppressed?  How can we overcome that danger?

Passage for Tomorrow: Hebrews 13:4-6