Hebrews 13:1-3
Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering. Hebrews 13:1-3 (NIV)
This passage immediately recalled John 3:16, ‘For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son…’ (KJV). Loving all our brothers and sisters is a tough task, especially those who are in prison. Think about those who are in prison for child sex abuse or even murder. That makes this passage travel to a new level. If a person is in prison for something they did as a child (vs. an 18 year old or older) I could forgive them if they showed signs of being permanently changed. Otherwise, I, personally, will have difficulty loving them. Maybe the difference is “remembering them” versus loving them. The former would be possible, and we should all be capable of doing that. Just knowing about those that are or have been mistreated is three-fourths of the battle there. We are aware of a few such instances, but many more probably go on without us having a clue! The level or remembrance or mistreatment this passage seems to call for, again, is a difficult task. How do we remember someone being mistreated as if you also were suffering or harder yet someone as if you were together…in prison? I think that I fail miserably doing the extreme things asked in this passage. However, it is a good reminder that others in our world need our love and often help. We can do this in various ways. Our offering is one way that we do help many in bad situations and often without even realizing it. We care for others by sharing food and other items that they may need. And our prayers are a way that we can remember and encourage our God to intervene! No one has said that loving and caring for others are easy tasks. As Christians we are often called upon to take on these tasks anyway!
Questions for Reflection:
- When was the last (or maybe first) time you personally knew someone in prison? How did you deal with that?
- Do you find it hard to love someone that you do not know? If so, how have you tried to do this difficult task?
Prayer:
Dear Lord of all, help me help others. I can do that via my offerings and by joining others in the church when they take on such tasks as our garden, making blankets and many other help groups. Our Sunday bulletin is full of ideas to fit just about anyone. In Christ’s name I pray, Amen
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