Read Between The Lines

Our pastor delivered a really good message on Sunday, therefore I am stealing it . . . I mean "sharing" it today. Stealing is a sin. ;)

He told us the story about "The Three Men" who appeared to Abraham under the terebinth tree.

The Old Testament is filled with stories like this one - containing multiple meanings, prophecies or just plain good old advice. Genesis 18 contains one of those stories where we must read between the lines.

Three men appeared to Abraham "in the heat of the day" and one of them was Jesus. Pay attention to what Abraham did and how he did it. Abraham's actions are a blueprint for a healthy relationship with God.

"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

1. Abraham looked up at Him
2. Abraham hurried to greet Him
3. He bowed down to Him
4. He hurried to serve Him
5. He ran to prepare a meal for Him
6. He stood and waited to serve

Do we look up to God? Or is He just another "thing to do" on Sundays? Will we hurry to greet Him and bow down before Him when He returns? Are we rushing to serve Him by preparing meals for, and serving, the least of these? Are we standing by, ready to serve as His Spirit leads? We should be.

May today contain opportunities to serve our God by loving others in some way. May we run to those opportunities, whatever they are, and prepare them as a gift for our King. This is a time for action. The world is in desperate need, looking for a savior. Run to them and point them to Jesus.