A Reminder

“Keep on loving each other as brothers.  Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it. Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.” 
        Hebrews 13:1-3.

Here in the very first verses of Hebrews thirteen the writer reminds us to be loving and hospitable. To remember those who are mistreated and in prison.
Christians from the moment Jesus was born were subject to persecution. Jesus at the age of two was himself a political refugee, fleeing with his parents to Egypt to escape Herod’s persecution.
Jesus knew what it was like to be falsely accused a crime, to be beaten and put to death.
The early church knew what it was like to be persecuted.
In choosing to become separate from Judaism they ran a foul of the “religio licita” a law that said what and what wasn’t an official religion of the Roman empire.
Throughout the first few centuries of Christianity Christians were persecuted terribly for their beliefs.
Many died or were imprisoned. The same is true today in some parts of the world. Thus what is written here in Hebrews is a call to us today to remember those Christians who for the sake of their belief are in prison.
Likewise I believe it is a call to Christians to remember others that are persecuted. such as political prisoners and prisoners of conscience jailed simply because of their outspoken beliefs against a government.
It is also a call to do something practical where you live to entertain people. Invite people to dinner or to your home.
Doing so give you an opportunity to witness not just in word but in deed. A good deed showing the love of Christ in a very real and practical way.