“Do not forget to entertain strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares!”  (Hebr. 13:2)

The Lord found an open, hospitable home in Bethany (Joh. 12:1) – in fact that was not the only one He found.

American and European homes are in danger of becoming isolated islands.  How sweet  however is a memory of mine from CA.  After a church service where everything is suddenly turned into a garden party with many refreshments,  a Dutch Christian sister spoke to my wife and I. “Why don´t you come to my house for dinner?” she smiled.

We came to a loving Bethany home in one of the poorest districts of Fresno.  She just had one room part of which was her kitchen.  “I have no problem having a guest for an overnight stay”, she said.  “I just put a mattress  on the floor.”  Her love and enthusiasm was very contagious.   A Dutch woman, mind you, in a foreign country.

But what happens to the many mansions?  How hospitable are they?  Praise God,  they are not all so isolated. I just visited  a home like that.  In France, indeed, but owned by an American couple that couldn´t think of anything better than filling their big mansion with God´s people.  That´s their attitude too in the U.S. where their home base is. 

Christian fellowship and a gospel witness in our private homes! Why not go for that?   I left the “chateau” in France with warm fellowship memories – in fact I don´t remember many of the fancy “chateau” things, but my heart was blessed by its many people that were channels of blessings to me – just after the heart of the Lord.

Whether we have a “chateau” or, as it were, a modest “Dutch” cottage with a mattress on the floor, let true Bethany homes be our vision for the glory of Jesus Christ and the spreading of the gospel!

April 20, 2013 – jn