Strangers and Angels
In the year 1527, a plague swept through the city of Wittenberg, Germany. Many fled in fear, but the reformer Martin Luther and his wife, Katharina, chose to stay. They turned their own home into a hospital, caring for the sick and feeding the hungry. Luther wrote that Christians should not abandon their neighbors in times of danger but show love, even when it was costly. They risked their lives for people who were often strangers to them. Their courage reminds us that the call of Christ stretches beyond family and friends—it reaches to anyone in need, whether or not we know them personally.
Scripture Overview
Hebrews 13:1–3 urges believers to “keep on loving” one another as brothers and sisters. But it doesn’t stop there. We’re reminded to show hospitality to strangers, because sometimes those strangers may even be angels in disguise. The passage goes on to say we should remember those in prison as if we were sitting beside them, and to care for the mistreated as if their pain were our own. In just a few short verses, the writer shows us that faith isn’t just about worship services or private prayer. True faith spills over the church walls and into daily life, where our love meets strangers, prisoners, and the suffering with compassion.
Things to Ponder
Who are the “brothers and sisters” God has placed closest to you? How do you show love to them?
When have you ever been welcomed though a stranger? How did that make you feel?
What might it look like for us to “remember prisoners” or people who are mistreated today?
How can small acts of hospitality in our home show others God’s love?
Application Challenge
This week, consider one small way to practice hospitality to strangers. It could be as simple as greeting a new neighbor, sitting with someone who is left out, or writing a note of encouragement to someone in need. These everyday actions remind us that God often works through ordinary moments of kindness.
Ask yourself: What would it look like to treat a stranger as if they were an angel sent by God? Could God be using a simple act of care—offering a seat, a smile, or a meal—to show His love through you?
Prayer Prompt
Lord, thank You for reminding us that Your love is meant to overflow to others. Give us eyes to see those who are strangers and mistreated around us. May even our small acts of kindness bring glory to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.