Entertaining Angels Unaware

Hebrews 13:2 – “Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels.”

One day, I pulled into a gas station to put air in my tires. While waiting in line, I noticed a man who appeared to be homeless, joyfully chatting with another man who was filling his tire. What struck me immediately was that he wasn’t asking for anything, not money, not food. Instead, he was radiating joy, talking about the Lord with such passion that it began to stir something in me. His words were like light breaking through the clouds.

When it was finally my turn, I stepped out unsure of how to use the air pump. To my surprise, the same man who had been encouraging others with the joy of the Lord came over to help me, just as cheerful, just as kind. As we worked together, our conversation naturally flowed toward Jesus. We didn’t talk about the weather or the day’s news, we talked about God’s goodness.

After he finished helping me, he looked at me and said something I will never forget: “I see the joy of the Lord in you. May I give you a hug?” I smiled and said, “Most assuredly.”

He didn’t want money. He just wanted to share the love of Christ.

But just as I was about to drive away, another man walked up and handed him $5. It felt like confirmation that God was watching over this moment. I felt stirred to bless him as well. I ran into the store to use the ATM, but when I came back out, he was gone. I drove around looking for him, but I couldn’t find him anywhere. It was as if he vanished.

Before he disappeared, I had told him about The Sock Ministry, which helps feed and care for the homeless. His face lit up. “Oh, I know Jasper well,” he said. That sealed it for me. This wasn’t just a coincidence. This was divine.

In that brief moment, I knew, I had encountered one of God’s messengers.

Jesus Himself said in Matthew 25:40, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for Me.” Our Savior knew what it was to be without a home. He walked among the poor and broken, and He calls us to do the same, not just with money, but with love, compassion, and dignity.

Let us never forget: the homeless man or woman we pass by may be more than what we see. They might just be heaven-sent.