Matthew 25:37-40
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
Comments
The word translated “stranger” in this passage can have many meanings: outsider, foreigner, immigrant, alien, sojourner, refugee, traveler, homeless.
Perhaps its most common meaning, though, is that of a god in disguise. Entertaining such “strangers” was not only a familiar theme in ancient Greek literature; it occurs repeatedly throughout the Bible as well.
John 1:11 reminds us that Jesus was viewed as a stranger, even among his own people.
Reflections
American culture increasingly has attached negative connotations to those who are strangers in our midst, particularly if they speak little or no English. Does this distrust of strangers and the emphasis on “stranger-danger” affect your understanding of what Jesus says about inviting “strangers” into our homes?
Have you ever been in a place where you clearly felt like an outsider? Did you find a cold shoulder or a warm welcome?
How willing are you to offer the gift of hospitality to a stranger?
Prayer
Help me, Lord, receive strangers and outsiders with the same warm welcome I would give you.
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