Prelude
An angry hatred of immigrants is popular. Purpose: Yet God’s promise to Abraham was that in him ALL nations would be blessed. Plan: Let’s see how Jesus challenged xenophobia in Luke 4:21-30.
No Acceptance
And He began to say to them, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” So all bore witness to Him, and marveled at the gracious words which proceeded out of His mouth. And they said, “Is this not Joseph’s son?” He said to them, “You will surely say this proverb to Me, ‘Physician, heal yourself! Whatever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in Your country.’ ” Then He said, “Assuredly, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own country. (Luke 4:21-24 NKJV)
Familiarity breeds contempt in countries and families (Matthew 13:57). The words “physician heal yourself” are similar to our saying that charity begins at home, or people who only give to local charities, but God loves other nations too. Even Christians can be offended at God’s word in regard to treating foreigners well.
Foreigners Favored
But I tell you truly, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, and there was a great famine throughout all the land; but to none of them was Elijah sent except to Zarephath, in the region of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow. And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet, and none of them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian.” (Luke 4:25-27 NKJV)
Jesus reminded them of Elijah and Elisha, where God provided for a foreign widow and a diseased foreigner before their own people. Do we too want God’s favor just for us? Jesus’ words sounded like national betrayal, contradicting their understanding of Isaiah. Does it offend us that God’s plan includes foreigners? Foreigners can even have more faith than us. Yet, we see xenophobia, a fear and hatred of foreigners among Christians too.
Angry Xenophobia
So all those in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath, and rose up and thrust Him out of the city; and they led Him to the brow of the hill on which their city was built, that they might throw Him down over the cliff. Then passing through the midst of them, He went His way. (Luke 4:28-30 NKJV)
Love Foreigners
What does God’s word say about how we treat a foreigner? The Bible says “love him as yourself” (Leviticus 19:34), include foreigners in community life (Deuteronomy 16:14; 26:11), provide for them from both national poor funds and individually (Deuteronomy 14:28-29; Leviticus 23:22; 25:35), show them hospitality (Hebrews 13:1-2; 3 John 1:5-8), true sheep care for foreigners, but goats bound for hell do not (Matthew 25:31-46).
What about obeying national immigration laws? Christians ought to obey the law and pay taxes (Romans 13:1-7). However, if any national laws contradict God’s word, then “We ought to obey God rather than men.” (Acts 5:29) There's no excuse for Christians supporting policies that oppress foreigners.
Why were Jesus’ neighbors so angry? Why are even Christians so angry about immigration instead of loving foreigners as God does? There is no place in Christianity for ignorant prejudice and fear. Cowardly bigotry and hatred hinders the message of the Gospel which must go to all people.
Does Jesus cater to our prejudices? Are we also angry that God’s word is different from our opinions? What is our mission? Jesus commissioned the apostles to be His witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). The church is not an inward-looking nationalistic social club but looks outward to the whole world. Does that offend us too?
Postlude
Are we willing to follow Jesus and tell the truth, even if it makes people angry? Hatred of foreigners is as popular now as it has ever been, even in the church. Let’s set aside all xenophobia. Let’s courageously embrace foreigners and boldly accept the Church’s mission which has never been just local or even national but has always been worldwide.
