The Bible Big Picture about Immigrants (Part 2)
“The Bible is the story of Immigrants” (Christianity.com “What does the Bible say about Illegal Immigration?” and Worldvision.com “What does the Bible say about refugees and displaced people?”). Adam and Eve are created (and are strangers) and invited in to name and care for the world around them. Abraham was called out of his homeland to a place he didn’t know, his sons were nomads. Israel was a group of enslaved people taken out of Egypt with a promise of land that would be their own. Ruth—well, more on her later. David fled from Saul and stayed with Israel’s enemies. When disobedient, Israel’s punishment was to become immigrants again, taken into captivity.
Jesus came on the scene while they were under oppressive Roman rule where he says (paraphrased by me): “I am the new Adam (Romans 5:19). I am making a new way (Rev. 21:5): EVERYONE is invited (John 3:16) and no one is the stranger (Gal. 3:28). But in this world, if you will choose me, you will always be the stranger here (1 Pet.1:17): you are made into someone who is made for a different place (1 Cor. 15:49).”
Paul’s letters are teachings to help us live in this world as a stranger, as an immigrant or migrant- just passing through. Acts is full of the epic struggle of the first Christians understanding that God’s plan wasn’t just for Israel (the Old Testament), but for everyone (Eph.3:6). The Old Testament is a story of Immigrants (Israel: Ex. 23:19, Lev. 19:34), and the New Testament is a story of us all being invited into becoming Immigrants (Eph. 2:19) as we become citizens of heaven.
Jesus confronted the prejudice (racism) of his time head-on in a beautiful story we call “The Good Samaritan.” This was at a time where, as Gary Wright points out: “The listeners would have never have even thought the word “Good” could be connected to the word “Samaritan.” Gary adds (in “Traveling and Listening to Jesus: Stories He told on His way to the Cross”), “Jesus’ final destination in his conversation and lesson with the Old Testament scholar ends with Jesus asking him, “Which of these three was the good neighbor?” Cornered by his deceitful pursuit, the Biblical scholar can’t even say the word “Samaritan,” So he says, “The one who showed mercy.” Jesus said, “Go and do likewise.”
There it is. Jesus turns the stranger (in the negative sense of it) into the neighbor, and we are to go and do likewise. We prove our discipleship by how we treat the stranger (Mt.25:35). This is what I know to be true: this is what settles my heart.