Many years back, I was leaving after meeting with a family going through some difficulty. 

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On my way home, I needed to stop at a gas station.  As I pulled up to the pump, a man startled me. He said, “I’m so sorry to bother you; you look tired.  But I was wondering if you might buy me some food?” 

Already, this was odd.  Every other time someone asks me for money, I offer to take them inside the nearest convenience store. They can purchase “any food or drink they want—just not beer.”  This was different.  He asked me to do what I’d offered to others.

I recovered quickly from my shock and said, “Sure!  Let me finish up here and I will buy you anything you want—just not beer.”  He thanked me graciously, smiled, and stood there looking at me.

I told him, “Why don’t you go in, get a basket, and start shopping?”

He probably noticed I was feeling uncomfortable. He stepped back a little and said, “I don’t like asking, but I really do appreciate it.” 

“No problem,” I responded.

When I got inside, I went looking for him.  I looked up and down all 7 or 8 aisles.  Finally, the cashier slowly asked me, “Sir, can I help you find something?”

I laughed a little and said, “Yea. Actually, did you see a guy walk in here a few minutes ago?  I’m looking for him.”  The cashier gave me a strange look. He said, “No…you’re the first person I’ve seen in a while. It’s been a slow night.” 

“You sure?”  I asked.  “He was coming in here to get food.  Maybe five or so minutes back?  Maybe he’s in the restroom.”

“Restroom’s outside, bro.”

“Oh,” I said curiously, “…you sure you didn’t see a guy about my height—probably homeless—come in here?  He could have walked back out.” 

“No. Just you.”

Hebrews 13:1-2 tells us we might show hospitality to angels without knowing it.  Whether that man was an angel or just messing with me, I’ll never know.  But what if…

As we continue our study in Genesis, we see Abraham had something like that happen, too.  We read in Genesis 18:1-8:

The Lord appeared to Abraham near the great trees of Mamre while he was sitting at the entrance to his tent in the heat of the day. 2 Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he hurried from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground.
3 He said, “If I have found favor in your eyes, my lord, do not pass your servant by. 4 Let a little water be brought, and then you may all wash your feet and rest under this tree. 5 Let me get you something to eat, so you can be refreshed and then go on your way—now that you have come to your servant.”
“Very well,” they answered, “do as you say.”
6 So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah. “Quick,” he said, “get three seahs of the finest flour and knead it and bake some bread.”
7 Then he ran to the herd and selected a choice, tender calf and gave it to a servant, who hurried to prepare it. 8 He then brought some curds and milk and the calf that had been prepared, and set these before them. While they ate, he stood near them under a tree.

Genesis 18:1-8, New International Version
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It seems odd to think of Abraham as entertaining God Himself. The text lets us in on this secret before Abraham realizes it. 

The reference to “Mamre” recalls earlier events from chapter 14.  Mamre was where Abraham and Lot parted ways.  It also led to Lot’s rescue by Abraham from the Eastern Kings.  Again, from Mamre, the patriarch shows the same paternal concern for his nephew.

Abraham’s haste in offering the courtesies of hospitality exhibited the same generous spirit he had shown in the past.  Hospitality customs required that all strangers approaching a dwelling be offered the chance to rest. They could also refresh themselves and eat a meal.

There was a practical issue here.  This transformed potential enemies into temporary friends.  Protocol required that the meal served to the guest exceed what was offered.  This is why Abraham offered a simple meal.  But he ordered a generous meal with fresh meat, an item not usually in their daily diet.

Three seahs of fine flour would equal 80 cups of flour.  That’s enough for about ten loaves of bread!

Abraham rolled out the red carpet for his guests!

And there, under the trees of Mamre, Abraham ate a meal with three men.  Most theologians believe these three men were Jesus and two angels.

I wonder if the Apostles ever thought about the meals shared with Jesus. They might have realized, “We just shared a meal with the One who shared a meal with Father Abraham.” 

If this incident from the life of Abraham says nothing else to us, it should at least say this. God desires to be a friend to us. He wants us to be friends with him. If we are not his friends, God’s reluctance or inaccessibility is not the problem. It is our sin.

When did it dawn on Abraham that these were no mere men?  I don’t know.  Do I think that man at that gas station was an angel?  I don’t exactly know.  One thing is for sure: the world will know us by our love.  Our kindness and gentleness to all will demonstrate we are the adopted sons and daughters of Father Abraham.

And if anyone asks you for a bite to eat, fill his basket with food.  You never know…