-May 21, 2023-
Good morning, happy Lord’s Day,
“The stranger who dwells among you shall be to you as one born among you, and you shall love him as yourself; for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: ‘I am the Lord your God.’”
(Leviticus 19:34).
Strangers are very special to the Lord. The Lord indeed has a special love for strangers, widows, and orphans. Our Lord Jesus Christ came down from heaven as a Homeless Stranger. He was despised and rejected, a Man of Sorrowers and acquainted with grief. The Israelites were once strangers in Egypt and in the land of Canaan. They knew what it was like.
The definition of a stranger is, “a person one does not know or with whom one is not familiar.” God taught the people of Israel to love strangers as their own, as themselves. This same principle is taught in the NT. Hebrews 13:1-2 says, “Let brotherly love continue. Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels.”
As believers we welcome strangers as visitors and guests into our hearts, churches, and homes. Each member of our church needs to accept and treat them with love, compassion, and kindness. Jesus taught us to love one another, to love strangers, and even to love our enemies. When we love strangers as ourselves, we are loving Christ.
We were once strangers ourselves. Paul wrote in Ephesians 3:19, “Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God.” May the Lord help us to love strangers, welcome them, and be one with them in Christ.
Have a blessed Lord’s day, worshiping the Lord, hearing the Word, and having fellowship with one another. Let us offer to strangers the right hand of fellowship. Stay safe and healthy.
Loving strangers as ourselves,
Dean
Dean Allen's Daily Devotional 