When a mysterious threesome appear at the tent of Abraham and Sarah, the couple shows this trinity such warm and lavish hospitality that the messengers disclose they are from God. They return the hospitality with the promise that the child Abraham and Sarah have awaited for 25 years will be born next year.
The 15th-century Russian artist Andrei Rublev reflects as a Christian in the famous icon he wrote of this scene. He sees the three guests as the Trinity. He represents them as angels with golden wings and seats them around a table with a cup of wine at the center. Two gaze at each other’s faces; the third looks toward the chalice, representing the Eucharist. Their circle is open toward the viewer, inviting us into the life they share. This unity of beings, this divine presence, Rublev shows, is a warm community of friends, a community in the midst of diversity.
A Trinity of Visitors
NARRATOR: God appeared to Abraham by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat in the entrance of his tent in the heat of the day. Abraham looked up and saw three men near him. When he saw them, he ran from the entrance of the tent to greet them and bowed to the ground.
ABRAHAM: Sir, if I find favor with you, do not pass your servant by. Let a little water be brought that you may wash your feet and rest yourselves under the tree. Now that you have come this close to your servant, let me bring you food, that you may refresh yourselves before you go on your way.
THREE: Do as you have said.
NARRATOR: Abraham hastened into the tent and spoke to Sarah.
ABRAHAM: Quick, three measures of fine flour! Knead it and make rolls.
NARRATOR: He ran to the herd, picked out a tender, choice steer, and gave it to a servant, who quickly prepared it. Then he got some curds and milk, as well as the steer that had been prepared, and set these before them; and he waited on them under the tree while they ate.
THREE: Where is your wife, Sarah?
ABRAHAM: In the tent.
NARRATOR: Then one of the three spoke.
ONE: I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah will then have a son.
Genesis 18.1-10
- What do you see in the icon?
- How does hospitality reveal God’s presence?
- What traditions of hospitality do you show visitors to your home?