Refugees are a hot topic these days. Seems like more than ever, people are fleeing danger zones around the world to live in safer countries. With all this attention come lots of questions. Should we risk receiving refugees? How should we treat them? What can we learn from the Bible?
Well, Jesus was a refugee.
As the Bible tells is,shortly after his birth, Joseph and Mary take him to Egypt to escape persecution. They find refuge in Egypt until it’s safe to go home to Israel.
In his adulthood, Jesus teaches that welcoming a stranger is a way we can welcome and serve him. He urges people to love their neighbors, and also their enemies.
In the Old Testament, we find a concern for foreigners deeply rooted in the culture of Israel. Much of their history is about being separated from their land—they were foreigners in Egypt, wanderers in the desert, and a captive people—so it’s no surprise when their Scriptures ask them to provide for foreigners who need their help.
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