The Ancient Guestbook: Names Forgotten, Kindness Remembered

And it came to pass in the former days, in the lands east of the Jordan and unto the isles of the Great Sea, that travelers did go to and fro upon the earth—merchants bearing spices and cloth, sojourners seeking refuge, messengers bringing tidings from afar. And wheresoever they journeyed, they knocked upon doors not their own, weary in body, yet hopeful of welcome.

And many there were who opened, saying, “Come in, thou stranger, and be refreshed.” They gave of their bread and their oil, of their milk and their dates; they spread forth mats beneath the shade, and poured water for the washing of feet. And though the names of these hosts be now lost to time, the record of their kindness endureth before the Lord.

As Abraham, who saw three men afar off in the plains of Mamre, and ran to meet them, bowing himself to the ground (Genesis 18:2). He brought forth cakes of fine meal, and a tender calf, and butter and milk. He stood by them under the tree, and they did eat. So was the custom of the righteous, to receive the unknown as though they were sent from heaven.

Likewise did the widow of Zarephath bring Elijah a morsel in her hand, and lo, the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail (1 Kings 17:15–16). Her name is but a whisper in the scrolls, yet her deed is proclaimed in the courts above.

And many there were who, though nameless in the chronicles of kings, wrote their love upon the scroll of the Almighty. For the Lord forgetteth not the labor of those who receive the stranger, who clothe the naked, who give a cup of cold water in His name (Matthew 10:42).

Behold, the ancient guestbook is not written with ink nor etched upon tablets of stone, but inscribed upon hearts and remembered in heaven. The names may fade, the houses crumble, the cities fall—but the kindness remaineth.

So let it be with thee, O reader of the latter days. Keep thine house open and thy table set, for some have entertained angels unawares (Hebrews 13:2). And though thy name be not known among men, it shall be written in the Lamb’s Book of Life, where no memory faileth and no deed of mercy is overlooked.

For in the kingdom to come, the Lord shall say, “I was a stranger, and ye took me in.” And they shall answer, “Lord, when saw we thee a stranger?” And He shall reply, “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these, ye have done it unto Me.” (Matthew 25:35–40)