Know Your Neighbors

Genesis 18:1-10a; Luke 10:38-42

Last Saturday, I saw the importance of knowing neighbors. Before distributing the flyer for the Family Fun Nights last week, a church member informed me that there are families with children living near his house. This information motivated us to include that area in our plans. True to his word, when we arrived, we learned about their good relationship with our member, who is their neighbor. We gave them the flyer and had the chance to tell them about our church and its core value, which is God’s love for all God’s children, and that everyone is welcome.

The definition of a neighbor has expanded beyond just those who live nearby. Today, neighbors include people we meet in various social settings, such as community events, the post office, the library, sports activities, parties, and other gatherings. They are individuals who are not related to us by family. They are “strangers” whom Abraham offered great love and hospitality!

The story of Abraham’s response to the needs of strangers serves as an example of the importance of hospitality in our relationships with neighbors, who to many of us are strangers, that is, they are not our family members!

Although the Genesis story is intentionally mysterious about these strangers (just like the neighbors we meet at the post office, library, or fitness centers), the main lesson of the story is: “You never know who you will entertain.” Centuries later, the Epistle to the Hebrews points back to this story with the reminder: “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it” (Heb. 13:2)

In the Gospel story, we learn important lessons about preparing ourselves for excellent hospitality through the example of Martha and Mary. While we may act to serve others with our best hospitality, Jesus teaches us that true preparation comes from immersing ourselves in the Word of God, just as Mary did. When God's Word dwells within us, we gain the confidence to share His love with others (strangers). This understanding fuels our enthusiasm for engaging in conversations about our faith and enables us to love strangers while meeting their needs.

Martha was focused solely on her tasks, while Mary prioritized learning more about God’s Word in order to love others as God intends. This is why Jesus said that Mary had chosen the better part. What we learn from this story is that discipleship is not just about “doing,” but also about “listening,” “thinking,” and focusing.

The story demonstrates that Martha and Mary together embody the discipline of following Jesus, blending action with listening. It presents two wonderful ways for us to be as a congregation: the way of hospitality and the way of learning, suggesting that we need to combine both.

Through getting to know our neighbors, we can develop relationships that are mutually beneficial, enabling us to offer the best hospitality without hesitation. When practiced with intentionality and love, hospitality can be a powerful tool for evangelism. By welcoming others into our lives, we create opportunities to share the love of Christ and the good news of the gospel in a tangible way. This approach shifts the focus from simply presenting information to building relationships and demonstrating God's love, making it a more natural and effective way to connect with others about faith

By embracing biblical hospitality, as Abraham did, we can effectively share the love of Christ and invite others into a relationship with Him. This approach highlights the importance of love, grace, and genuine connection in conveying the good news. Simple acts of kindness lay the foundation for relationships that can transform neighborhoods into close-knit communities. Quiet elderly neighbors may seem reserved today, but they often become some of the most trusted advisors, sharing decades of wisdom while valuing friendship more than you might realize.

In our fast-paced world, these connections remind us that meaningful relationships emerge from small, consistent acts of care. The time spent building these relationships today creates a support network that benefits everyone involved.

Our task this week and going forward is to build relationships with people we meet at grocery stores, fitness centers, the library, and social gatherings. Start conversations by finding common ground, then move on to discussing what makes our church special. Approach these conversations with boldness, courage, and enthusiasm as you talk about our church and invite others to join. This may be challenging, but it is achievable if we are committed to making a positive change in our church. I pray that God will strengthen us as we aim to spread the Gospel!