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People are often surprised when they hear “Jesus was a refugee”. It’s not some slogan made up by activists, but it’s a truth written in the Bible. A lady at my church reminded me of this, and it has inspired me to write this blog post about why all Christians – especially those who claim to believe the Bible – should support refugees.
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph were refugees during the reign of King Herod.
It beings in the nativity story – the part of the Bible in Matthew’s gospel that records Jesus’ birth. It’s the Christmas story that a lot of us think we are all too familiar with. But we read that shortly after Jesus was born, his whole family has to flee from Bethlehem to Egypt, because King Herod wants to kill Jesus.
“Now after [the wise men] had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, ‘Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.’ Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother by night, and went to Egypt, and remained there until the death of Herod.” – Matthew 2:13-15a NRSV
This is undeniable biblical evidence that Jesus and his family were refugees. The passage says that they fled by night, immediately after Joseph was warned about King Herod. Imagine how exhausted Mary and Joseph would have been, right after they had already been travelling and struggling to find lodging, and especially right after having a baby.
Sadly, this kind of rapid and uncertain displacement was not only the case for Mary and Joseph, but for millions of refugees today.
According to the UN refugee agency, there are over 100 million people who have been forcibly displaced, and there are about five million people currently seeking asylum.[1] The war in Ukraine has also exacerbated numbers, adding 8 million more people who were displaced in 2022. Thousands of refugees have fled war torn countries and dangerous situations to find refuge and safety in Australia because they have no other choice.
As someone who has grown up in stable household in Australia, there is so much that I take for granted. Even after recently moving out of home for the first time, I can still fall asleep knowing that I will be okay in the morning. I know that I have friends, family, and church to support me through difficult times, and I know there are many safe places I can go without fear of war or violence. Yet this is not the case for millions of refugees around the world.
What else does the Bible say about refugees? Heaps!
“Since there will never cease to be some in need on the earth, I therefore command you, “Open your hand to the poor and needy neighbor in your land.” – Deuteronomy 15:11 NRSV
There are many laws written in the Old Testament that command God’s chosen people to look after the needy, widows, orphans, the oppressed, and foreigners. It’s not an optional choice that the Israelites have, but it is a mandate that is rooted in the love of God – a love so strong that it cares for all people. And this commandment is central to Christian values and resonates through many of Jesus’ teachings and parables.
“For the LORD your God is God of gods, Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who is not partial and takes no bribe, who executes justice for the orphan and the widow, and who loves the strangers, providing them with food and clothing. You shall also love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.” – Deuteronomy 10:18-19 NRSV
The book of Exodus tells the story of God rescuing his people from slavery in the land of Egypt. It’s the famous story of Moses, the parting of the Red Sea, and the Israelites’ journey into the promised land. For four hundred years the Israelites were slaves in the land of Egypt, but God in his amazing power delivered them from the hand of Pharoh. These Bible verses from Deuteronomy are a reminder for the Israelites that God chose them as a special people and rescued them. It is a reminder of the pain they felt as foreigners in slavery, and a warning not to inflict that pain on others by refusing hospitality to foreigners.
This is not about politics, it’s about real people who are suffering.
Far too often, these sorts of issues become political. Social justice is not about left or right wing politics, but it’s about real humans – mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, people who are just as worthy of love as any of us. Those who are fleeing dangerous countries are those who need love and protection the most. The Bible says that God shows no favourtism (Romans 2:11), and the book of James also warns Christians not to show favourtism to people because they are wealthy, or to mistreat people because they have a poor appearance. Treating people differently based on their social status is how people become “judges with evil thoughts” (James 2:4).
“Then the king will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world, 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, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?’ And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did it to me.’” – Matthew 25:34-40 NRSV.
If we are to call ourselves “biblical Christians”, we must obey the words of Jesus written in the Bible. His teachings aren’t just good and moral things to ponder on, but they are commandments we really ought to get on with doing. That means we should be a church that welcomes asylum seekers in an attitude of love and mercy, just as God has loved us and shown us mercy.
By God’s grace, despite our sinfulness and failures to do what is right, Jesus offers eternal life to everyone who believes in him.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world but in order that the world might be saved through him.” – John 3:16-17 NRSV.
A prayer for refugees:
Heavenly Father, thank you so much that you love and care for all people. We pray for refugees around the world who are experiencing great pain, loss, and uncertainty. We pray for those who have been separated from their families due to war and violence. We pray especially for children and vulnerable people. May you bring peace and shelter to everyone who seeks it, hope and comfort to those who need it, and security and safety to those who lack it. Thank you that you offer eternal life and a home for all people who turn to you in faith, in a kingdom that will never perish. In Jesus’ name, who was once a refugee. Amen.
Support refugees in need:
https://www.racs.org.au/donate
https://action.refugeecouncil.org.au/storytellers
Caspian Scott 