Have you ever had one of those moments when you had to make a split decision between stopping to ask someone if they are ok or drive on because you have somewhere to be? Emily Kraus will never forget the time she stopped to ask. Emily and her boyfriend were on the way to a Dave Mathews concert, when they saw a bike rider with a flat tire on the side of the road. What would you have done?
In this dangerous world, it is hard to know whether or not to stop. And I am not telling you that stopping is the right thing for you. But I am glad to say that this time it all worked out. You see, the guy just happened to be Dave Matthews! He was out for a bike ride before his concert that night and he was stuck with a flat and no cell phone to get help. Many people passed by, but Emily and her boyfriend decided to stop. Imagine their surprise when they learned it was Matthews! He graciously invited the couple to dinner, gave them backstage passes and front row seats to his concert. He even mentioned their kindness during the concert. Quite a payoff for deciding to stop!
The Hebrews writer states, “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it” (Hebrews 13:2). While I am not ruling out the possibility that there are angels on the earth today, that isn’t really what this passage says. The Hebrews writer is merely looking back in history and saying that people doing the will of God, such as Lot, have entertained angels without knowing who they were (Genesis 19). We must be kind to fellow Christians, strangers, prisoners, and those who are ill-treated by society. And if we do so in the name of Christ, we will be rewarded for our efforts.
And if you think Emily and her boyfriend had a great payoff, think about eternity with our Lord where His children will have great joy (Jude 1:24) and all-access passes!
