Components of Mutual Love

Dear DJAN Friends,

One of the strangest, yet most powerful, books in the New Testament is the Letter to the Hebrews. The final chapter, in particular, provides important guidance for Christians committed to a more just and equal society. 

Let mutual love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it. Remember those who are in prison, as though you were in prison with them; those who are being tortured, as though you yourselves were being tortured. Let marriage be held in honor by all, and let the marriage bed be kept undefiled; for God will judge fornicators and adulterers. Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be content with what you have; for he has said, "I will never leave you or forsake you" [Joshua 1:5]. So we can say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can anyone do to me?” [Psalm 118:6] (Hebrews 13:1-6).

Hebrews is not really a letter but a first-century sermon intended to provide instruction and encouragement to an unnamed church that was facing persecution and, perhaps, losing its zeal for the gospel. The anonymous author is clear that "here we have no lasting city, but we are looking for the city that is to come" (13:14). In the meantime, however, we live as an earthly community, guided by the principle of mutual love. Our reading, which comes from the last chapter of Hebrews, specifies components of such love, including 1) hospitality to strangers, 2) empathy for those who are suffering, 3) sexual propriety, and 4) avoidance of greed. (Do you think we can commend this standard to contemporary political leaders?) Entertaining angels "without knowing it" is a reference to Genesis 18 where the Lord appears to Abraham in the form of three strangers, and Abraham welcomes them–a model for early Christians, and for us.

May God grant us understanding and commitment.

 —Rev. Dr. Michael Kinnamon