[Text: Genesis 18:1-15)

Scripture Intro: Abraham is called God’s friend in several places throughout Scripture. As we read the text today, let’s remember that God doesn’t change. The way God deals with Abraham and Sarah in the covenant is how he’ll deal with us, too, through the new covenant in Christ.

[Read and pray]

Intro: There is a phenomenon called PostSecret that has caught fire in the past several years. The idea is that anonymous people can create a postcard of their own design and write on it a secret from their life that they have never spoken to anyone for fear of rejection or embarrassment or for any other reason. Millions of people have contributed secrets over the past 7 years of the project.

Some are simple and have to do with social faux pas like, “I pay with a gift card so that I don’t have to tip!” Others are from childhood mischief like, “When I was 16 I poured chocolate syrup (lots and lots) into the snow boots of an old woman…I’m sorry Margaret….” But more often than not the writer reveals a deeper something. “Every time I wish death on someone I apologize to god. I fear that one day he will punish my daughters for the things iv (sic) said about other people.” “I left my husband and kids because my bipolar was killing them. They’re doing so much better without me….” “In the past 15 years I have lived and worked all over the world. Everyone thinks my life is glamorous. But the truth is that every time I plan another move I pray that someone will love me enough to ask me not to go.” “The only thing I’m proud of myself for in all my 21 years of living is recovering from anorexia. I struggled for 8 years and broke free on my own. I wish I had someone to congratulate me.” “I am so filled with anger that I regularly beat my entire forearm black and blue.”

I’m not necessarily recommending everyone to explore the site - there are some very disturbing and broken secrets shared. But the sheer volume of contributions tells me that there is something deep inside of us that needs to be known by others.

The irony of the project is that the momentary weight that is lifted by revealing a deep secret to strangers cannot last. The anonymity which makes the project possible and popular actually is a barrier to the healing so many of the people are seeking! That’s because true acceptance and healing and intimacy can only come through a real relationship.

FCF: God made us for real intimacy with him and with other people but we often settle for what is easy rather than real, superficial rather than deep, veiled instead of transparent, false instead of fulfilling, temporary instead of lasting. We do it because we are scared of our minds being known by others. We don’t want the depths of our brokenness known by another human because we’re deeply fearful of the consequences. Some of you feel this more deeply than others, but each of us on some level acts this way; from when we say “I’m fine” to the standard “How are you” to when we never tell that story from childhood, even to our spouse. What are you hiding that keeps you from seeking intimacy with other people?

There is this conscious and unconscious agreement between us to hide our dirty laundry so that we don’t have to really know or be known by others. And yet projects like Post Secret show that the pain of being unknown runs very deep; even if we are only known by a complete stranger (and thus not really known at all) there is something freeing about being known by someone else.

But the God who made us made us to know Him and be known by him fully. And in this passage we see the LORD coming down. The question we are asking, though, is “Why did He come down?” He came down for a few reasons as we’ll see in the coming weeks, but I wanted us to see today how He draws near to his people. He comes to them and shows them that he knows them deeply and fully and still loves and accepts them and works for their redemption.

The first thing to note is that the LORD is the first actor in this story. He comes unlooked for by Abraham and Sarah. And that’s how He always works with His people. Abraham was just sitting at the door of his tent…and God showed up.

But I believe there are even some indications that Abraham doesn’t even know who is visiting him until somewhere around v. 9 when the LORD repeats his promise from 17:21 about Sarah having a son about a year from then. See how he addresses his guests in v. 3? Some translations signify this differently, but the word “Lord” in your bible shouldn’t be capitalized like it is when referring to the covenant name of YHWH. Abraham simply gives his guests a great deal of respect, saying “My Lord (or master).” That is in the singular, so he may be recognizing the authority of one guest over the others, but the fact remains that he is speaking differently than he has in the past to the LORD. He doesn’t know his God is standing in front of him…

But that doesn’t lessen Abraham’s hospitality. Everything in vv. 2-8 reveals the heart of Abraham. He opened his home to these strangers and in doing so “entertained angels unaware” (Hebrews 13:2), indeed, more than angels. Yahweh himself is served by Abraham, although Abraham didn’t know it. In v. 2 he runs to them when he sees them, which is a very odd thing for a dignified, ancient Near East patriarch (especially one who is 99 years old) to do. He provides water to refresh them, promises a morsel of bread and delivers a feast with far too much food to show his guests how important they are to him. He involves his household in the preparation but see how busy Abraham is himself! He’s no lazy husband sitting with guests while his wife cooks. Abraham himself prepares the curds and milk and delivers the calf and the bread to the guests and then stands by like a servant as the honored and unknown guests enjoy the meal.

Jesus would later say that at the last day he will welcome those who feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, welcome strangers, clothe the naked, care for the sick and visit those in prison saying, “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” (Matt. 25:40) James Boice commenting on that saying, “To us, serving mere human beings is quite different from serving God. But to God they are the same. And so important is serving people that Jesus was able to speak of the basis of the final judgment in these terms.”[1] We have a lesson for us as we see Abraham living out his faith through hospitality. He holds back nothing from these complete strangers. His time is theirs. His food is theirs. He is generous with his portions of bread, with the quality of meat he gives and does not consider himself to be above the lowest task. He takes care of those who have come to him as if they are more important than himself. What do you think of those around you?

As we see the example of Abraham in showing extravagant hospitality to strangers, we cannot forget his motivation for such service. Don’t forget that the LORD came to him first, not only here but when Abraham was an idol worshiper in Ur of the Chaldeans. The LORD took Abraham and set his love on him and established a covenant with him to redeem not only Abraham but all of creation. The LORD had transformed Abraham through the sign of circumcision as cleansing for his sin and brokenness was promised and given. So, Abraham is a friend toward men and ultimately toward the LORD because the LORD has pursued him to know and make himself known to Abraham. Knowing, being known and being accepted by the LORD leads us to pursue real intimacy with other people.

But note in v. 8 how the LORD’s acceptance of the meal is unlike his acceptance of other offerings. When the priests offered sacrifices to the LORD it is accepted by God through fire. When Elijah prayed for the LORD to reveal himself as the true God against all false gods, the LORD consumed his offering with fire from heaven. But when Abraham unknowingly offers this meal to the LORD of heaven and earth, God sits under a tree that He made and eats bread with His friend. How amazing that must have been to Abraham as he later understood just who it was who had visited him. God Almighty, the God who sees and hears, the LORD of hosts, the Creator, the God who knew the depths of his sin and all his failures had come to him and enjoyed Abraham’s food - and his company.

Later saints would rejoice in the truth that God knows us in our weakness and brokenness and still be willing to move heaven and earth to be with us. David said (in Ps. 138:6), “For though the LORD is high, he regards the lowly….” Isaiah (in 57:15) wrote,

“For thus says the One who is high and lifted up,

who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy:

“I dwell in the high and holy place,

and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit,

to revive the spirit of the lowly,

and to revive the heart of the contrite.

And our hearts are revived when we see how God comes to us just like He did with Abraham. And they are revived even more when we see what He has to say to Abraham and Sarah after He reveals Himself as LORD.

In v. 9 the guests speak after their meal, asking about Sarah. Abraham says that she is in the tent, and we soon find out that she’s eavesdropping on the conversation. The LORD reveals himself as he restates his promise from the previous chapter; “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife shall have a son.”

When that promise first came to Abraham, he laughed in disbelief and wonder that an old man and woman might have a child in the twilight of their years on earth and now it is Sarah’s turn to laugh. Humanly speaking, she laughs for good reason. V. 11 tells us that the way of women had ceased with her - she’s already gone through “The Change” – so, let’s understate it and say that it would be improbable, highly unlikely, crazy, not-within-the-realm-of-reality, inconceivable (no pun intended), and in all other ways impossible for her to have a child at this point. And not only that, but she goes on to talk about Abraham’s age. Let’s just assume that what happened 13 years ago with Hagar didn’t happen as often anymore.

So she laughs - in unbelief. And because of the unbelief, the LORD does not laugh with her. He calls her on it and speaks one of the most beautiful, convicting, encouraging, thought-provoking lines in all of Scripture: “Is anything too hard for the LORD?” He says what he has spoken will certainly come to pass. About the same time a year from then, the LORD will return and Sarah will be holding her own son.

See how one sin – unbelief – leads to another? Sarah lies and denies her words. Fear, v. 15 says, led her to lie to the LORD. But the LORD isn’t fooled. He says, “No, but you did laugh.” Have you ever been caught in a lie and had to lie again to cover it? Then you know the fear and shame Sarah experienced here.

She’s nailed to the wall and she won’t admit it. She’s blown it and both she and God know it. And she’s can’t even confess her sins! Will she become like Cain who lied and didn’t repent? Will she be washed away in judgment like humanity in the flood?

See how gracious and patient God is with His people in the covenant. He doesn’t berate her. He simply tells her that he knows her heart. He doesn’t punish her. Actually he continues to bless her and will still make her the mother of Isaac, the child of the promise and the one through whom the Story of Redemption will move forward. God doesn’t give up on His people. He knows them fully, inside and out, in all their weakness and sin. And he is patient with us, convicting us of our sin and, in time, leading us to repentance.

I’m not saying that we should be like Sarah in this account. Quick repentance is what is right! When I wrong Jenny, it isn’t a good thing to be stubborn and refuse to repent. That’s how broken relationships get started. I’m saying, “Look at the goodness and patience and graciousness of God toward sinners! Always run to such a God and let him shower you with His love and acceptance, too!”

The truth is God knows us. He knows all of our weakness and all of our sin. He knows all the wrong we’ve done and all the good we have failed to do. He knows the selfishness that creeps into the best efforts. He knows our harsh words to our wives and children. He knows the internet searches in the night. He knows the gossip disguised as “concern.” He knows the anger. He knows the jealousy at the gifts and possessions of others. He knows how parents are dishonored and unloved and abandoned. He knows that deep secret that you have never even written on a postcard because of your fear. He knows us…fully.

And still He came to us in the person of Jesus. And still Jesus went to that cross so that, by faith in Him, God and man might sit down together at the table again and share bread and wine in celebration of life restored, of promises fulfilled, of the glory of God filling the earth as the waters cover the seas.

The table is set before you now to enjoy a meal with your God. The table is set for you to fellowship with your friend, as Jesus gives himself to you in this bread and cup. Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. These things I command you, so that you will love one another. (John 15:13-17)

Not only did God come down to be with Abraham, but God the Son came out of heaven and became the servant to you, even to the point of death, laying down his very life…to be with you. He has called you “friend.” Friends of God, that is who y’all are when you embrace Jesus in faith. Keep resting in Him, people of God. Receive him, you who hear the good news for the first time. Believe that because of Jesus your sins are forgiven and you are given Jesus’ righteousness that covers you fully, his righteousness by which God accepts you fully and forever.

When you live out of that reality, then you, like Abraham, can begin to see beyond your own need for acceptance because you know that you are known and accepted and adopted by the God of Abraham. You can begin to see the needs of others as more important than your own because that’s what Jesus did for you. You can offer forgiveness to others because that’s what Jesus did for you. You can begin to see all that you possess are things given by God to be instruments for hospitality; things to be used for the sake of others and for the kingdom of God rather than toys to accumulate.

As we see the LORD coming to his people and simply being with them and accepting them and having compassion on their sin we see the heart of God that He showed in the very beginning when God and man lived in perfect communion in the Garden.

And we see where the Story of Redemption is heading in the end because this meal in front of us is pointing us toward another meal.

When instituting the Lord’s Supper, Jesus also said, “I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.” (Matthew 26:29) Jesus will eat and drink again with his people on that day when God declares, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with men” and he makes his home with us once again. On that day the people of God, the church of Jesus, the bride of Christ will be joined together fully and forever and we feast together with Jesus at the marriage celebration. Then we will know Him fully, even as we are now fully known and loved and accepted and redeemed by the Lord Jesus Christ.

(move to table for the Lord’s Supper)

If you haven’t understood before now, understand that in this meal the Lord Jesus draws you to himself. He knows your sins. He knows your weakness. He knows your hurts. He knows the weight you carry and he invites you to receive what he offers you. And he offers you nothing less than himself to satisfy the longing for acceptance and love that you and I had before we even realized it…

[1] James Montgomery Boice, Genesis (vol. 2), 600.