Time to Make Room For Jesus | Genesis 18:1-8
Theophany: A visible manifestation of God on earth in the Old Testament period (The Burning Bush Exodus 3:2, God answered Job out of the tempest Job 38-42, The pillar of cloud before Moses Exodus 33:9).
Christophany: A visible manifestation of Jesus in the Old Testament period.
This is clearly a Christophany.
- Jesus is God. Humanity is Depraved. Jesus is Perfect.
Jesus is holy, perfect, and set apart. He is not like us, He is different. He is God.
“Then Yahweh appeared to him by the oaks of Mamre, while he was sitting at the tent door in the heat of the day. And he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing nearby; he saw, and he ran from the tent door to meet them, and he bowed himself to the earth.”
--Genesis 18:1-2
“Then he said, ‘Oh may the Lord not be angry, and I shall speak only this once; suppose ten are found there?’ And He said, ‘I will not destroy it on account of the ten.’ And as soon as He had finished speaking to Abraham, Yahweh departed, and Abraham returned to his place.”
--Genesis 18:32-33
“Then the two angels came to Sodom in the evening as Lot was sitting in the gate of Sodom. Lot saw them and rose to meet them and bowed down with his face to the ground.”
--Genesis 19:1
Three men appear to Abraham and one stays behind with Abraham while the other two visit Lot as they go to judge/ destroy Sodom and Gomorrah. Moses, the Holy Spirit inspired writer of Genesis, names who this third man is “Yahweh.” Abraham doesn’t know it is Jesus as he calls Him “Lord” but he shows reverence, bows before these men—how do we know it is Jesus?
“We give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love which you have for all the saints… giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. Who rescued us from the authority of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.”
--Colossians 1:2-3,12-14,15
Jesus is the firstborn of all creation, Jesus is the saviour of our sins, who has rescued us from the authority of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of the Son of His love, Jesus has redeemed us and Jesus is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation, the creator of the world—because HE IS GOD.
“For in Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him.”
--Colossians 1:16
“and he said, ‘My Lord, if now I have found favor in Your sight, please do not pass Your servant by. Please let a little water be brought and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree…’”
--Genesis 18:3-4
Abraham knows that he is in the presence of the Holy God Himself. He recognizes his lowliness, his sinfulness his depravity. Yes, Angels are different from humans but only God is above all things including Angels—this is why God’s presence in the temple only resided in the holiest of holies.
“And when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says, ‘And let all the angels of God worship Him.’ And of the angels He says ‘Who makes His angels winds, And His ministers flaming fire.’”
--Hebrews 1:6-7
“After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands; and they cry out with a loud voice, saying, ‘Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.’ And all the angels were standing around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying, Amen, the blessing and the glory and the wisdom and the thanksgiving and the honor and the power and the strength, be to our God forever and ever. Amen.’”
--Revelation 7:9-12
Another way we know this is Jesus is because the writer of Genesis, Moses, calls this man with other two men “Yahweh” meaning the one-true God, and Abraham calls Him “Lord.”
יְהֹוָה Yᵉhôvâh, yeh-ho-vaw'; from H1961; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jeho-vah, Jewish national name of God:—Jehovah, the Lord.
אָדוֹן ʼâdôwn, aw-done'; or (shortened) אָדֹן ʼâdôn; from an unused root (meaning to rule); sovereign, i.e. controller (human or divine):—lord, master, owner.
Abraham did not know he was speaking to Jesus specifically, but he knew he was talking to the Holy God of the Universe, Yahweh, and the writer of Genesis clarifies this with using these two different Hebrew words.
- Jesus is with Us. This will encourage and embolden His Church, His people.
Jesus is human. He is a man, He came down to earth to be with His creation, with His chosen people, with His faithful church. He is with us.
“Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will never walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.’ So the Pharisees said to Him, ‘You are bearing witness about Yourself; Your witness is not true.’ Jesus answered and said to them, “Even if I bear witness about Myself, My witness is true, for I know where I came from and where I am going; but you do not know where I come from or where I am going.”
--John 8:12-14
“’Surely You are not greater than our father Abraham who died? The prophets died too; whom do You make Yourself out to be?’ Jesus answered, ‘If I glorify Myself, My glory is nothing; it is My Father who glorifies Me, of whom you say, ‘He is our God’; and you have not known Him, but I know Him; and if I say that I do not know Him, I will be a liar like you, but I do know Him and keep His word. Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad.’ So the Jews said to Him, ‘You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?’ Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.”
--John 8:53-58
We have these two moments in scripture, separated by approximately 2000 years, where God Himself as the Person of Jesus Christ is appearing to His people, speaking to them, living with them and revealing Himself to them. This should encourage His people, this should solidify our faith in God and show us how much God loves His people.
Jesus was with Abraham—
“’My Lord, if now I have found favor in Your sight, please do not pass Your servant by. Please let a little water be brought and wash your feet and rest yourselves under the tree; and let me bring a piece of bread, that you may refresh your hearts; after that you may pass on, since in such a manner you have passed by your servant.’ And they said, ‘So you shall do, as you have said.’”
-Genesis 18:3-5
“The chapter presents a beautiful picture of divine fellowship with humanity—one that shows God’s interaction with humanity during this post-fall period of corruption and sin is not only about accomplishing tasks…it also emphasizes experiencing relationship, taking the time to relate to man even during the ‘downtime’ or more ‘mundane’ periods of life.”
--The Moody Bible Commentary
Just imagine, Abraham, washes these men’s feet, two angels and Jesus Christ Himself. Jesus is with Abraham. God is with Abraham. Abraham even physically washes Christ’s feet. This custom was important in the ancient world, slaves were the ones that washed feet, it showed complete servitude, complete hospitality and love—it was a custom of hospitality and love.
“Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come forth from God and was going back to God, got up from supper, and laid aside His garments; and taking a towel, He tied it around Himself. Then He poured water into the wash basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel which He had tied around Himself…If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a slave is not greater than his master.”
--John 13:3-5,14-16a
“Our Lord washed the feet of his disciples to show that to the last moment of his fellowship with them he was full of the deepest and truest love for them, and was willing to perform the most menial action for their good. Nor was this all, for we may regard that one condescending act as the pledge and type of his daily kindness towards all his own who are in the world.”
--Charles Spurgeon (Oct. 12 Sermon 1879, Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington)
- Abraham made room for Jesus. He prepared a table, showed hospitality, Abraham served God.
“So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah and said, ‘Hurry, prepare three seahs of fine flour, knead it, and make bread cakes.’ Abraham also ran to the herd and took a tender and choice calf and gave it to his young man, and he hurried to prepare it. Then he took curds and milk and the calf which he had prepared, and placed it before them; and he was standing by them under the tree, and they ate.”
--Genesis 18:6-8
There is much happening here; Remember, Abraham was just circumcised! Abraham and Sarah show true hospitality to their visitors. Look at who is doing everything: Abraham and Sarah. Typically, the slaves of a home would be doing this kind of work, preparing the food, washing feet, giving them curds, milk and the calf—they are giving them the best of the best, they are taking time to prepare this meal THEY are doing the work, not the slaves.
Now as they were traveling along, He entered a village; and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. And she had a sister called Mary, who was also seated at the Lord’s feet, listening to His word. But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him and said, ‘Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the preparations alone? Then tell her to help me.’ But the Lord answered and said to her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things, but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”
--Luke 10:38-42
“Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.”
--John 14:1-3
“Now while they were eating, Jesus took some bread, and after a blessing, He broke it. And giving it to the disciples, He said, ‘Take, eat; this is My body.’ And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you; for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins.”
--Matthew 26:26-28
Abraham made room for Jesus because God chose Him; God called Him and Abraham knows his place before God. Jesus has now made room for humanity; He has made room for you, He served His disciples by washing their feet so they may know how to serve each other; how to share His Gospel of Love, Truth and Grace with the lost and the church. So Be like Abraham and prepare room for Christ so you are to be like Christ and shine His light in this dark world.