As I’ve written earlier, immigration is a major, and volatile, issue in our

country, and especially in this 2024 election. Given the role the church is

playing in this election, it’s important we hear what the Bible says about the

subject.

Yes, we need a secure border with adequate border patrol personnel, staff

to process migrants/refugees/asylum seekers, and enough judges to quickly

process asylum claims, but when it comes to how those migrants are treated

when they come to our border, those of us who claim to follow Jesus need to

take the Bible into account as we consider our response.

First, it’s important to note that the baby Jesus and his parents were

refugees/asylum seekers in Egypt when they had to flee the violence of King

Herod who felt threatened by this child and wanted him dead. They were

obviously given asylum/welcome by someone in Egypt (Matthew 2:1-23).

They went to the border of Egypt seeking asylum, seeking safety from

violence…and Egyptians did not send them away, but allowed them to stay

until it was safe to return to their homeland. Today many of the folk who

arrive in the U.S., have come because their home countries have become

dangerous, and like Jesus and his family, they need a safe place to be. And yet,

many in our nation want to refuse them entry…or deport those already here.

It makes you wonder if that little dark-skinned family (Joseph, Mary, baby

Jesus) would be wholeheartedly welcomed into the United States if they came

to the border seeking asylum, safety from a cruel ruler…because remember,

there was no glowing halo around their heads indicating they were an

especially holy family.

Second, in one of Jesus’ most powerful parables (Matthew 25:31-46), he

describes a scene of judgment where humanity is separated into two

groups—those who did good in life and those who didn’t. To the righteous,

Jesus says, “Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom

prepared for you…; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and

you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me….”

These folk are startled because they don’t remember when they did any of

these things for Jesus, but he responds, “Just as you did it to one of the least of

these who are members of my family, you did it to me.” The word “strangers”

is not just a reference to people you don’t know, but to foreigners who come

to live in our midst. What we do to the immigrants, refugees, asylum seekers

who come to our borders, we do to Jesus, because Jesus identifies with those

folk who are in need…and I really think we want to treat Jesus well.