Eastern Hospitality

Centuries before the magi visited Bethlehem bringing exquisite gifts fit for a king, a desert sheik spotted three strangers lingering a short distance from his tents. With the vigor characteristic of middle-eastern hospitality, he hurried over to them and offered them a quick drink of water.

In the conventions of hospitality, you make the initial offer so small that to refuse would be an insult. Then,
when the strangers respond, they become your guest and you give them more than you promised and keep them a little longer while you prepare the real meal.

So went Abraham’s visit with the three visitors he eventually realized were manifestations of “The Lord Yahweh”. (Read the story in Genesis 18.)

He started with water - a drink and refreshing foot-bath. Then he served milk and curds while he hurriedly selected a choice young calf and had it quickly slaughtered, butchered and barbequed in honor of his Guest.

The Guest responded with a gift of his own – a promise no one on earth could fulfill. Long past her prime, Sarah would soon have the joy of a young woman; her infertility would give way and she and Abraham would become parents.Their world of barrenness will be shattered by a new possibility.

Sarah laughs at the prospect. She has grown resigned to a closed future. But this is a God who renews life in unexpected ways. Just as water brings life from barren ground, so Abraham’s gesture of hospitality initiated a life-giving conversation and an unfolding destiny neither Abraham nor Sarah had believed possible.

This is a story about transformation – and God usually starts with small things that show little evidence of potential.

Whatever that may be for you today, start small. Offer a stranger some water. It may be a first step to a new tomorrow.

If nothing else comes to mind, consider being a modern-day magi. Click on one of these links and help provide water to a community that needs a well.

World Vision . . . Lifewater Canada . . . Living Water International

Image Sources:
Camels - Ubiquitous on the Internet
Water - Turcon
African Magi - Jesusmafa(dot)com