Following Jesus in a World with Refugees: 8 Words to Guide Us

Following Jesus in a World with Refugees

As the world continues to face the refugee crisis, we are reminded of the words of Jesus to care for the stranger and the foreigner. In Matthew 25:35, Jesus says, “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me.”

As Christians, we are called to follow Jesus and to love our neighbors as ourselves. This means that we must respond to the needs of refugees with compassion and care. Here are eight words from Jesus that can guide us as we seek to follow him in a world with refugees.

1. Love God and Love Your Neighbor

In Mark 12:30-31, Jesus says, “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

Jesus makes it clear that loving God and loving our neighbors are the two greatest commandments. Loving God means that we prioritize our relationship with him and seek to live according to his will. Loving our neighbors means that we treat others with kindness, respect, and compassion, regardless of their background or circumstances.

When it comes to refugees, we can love God by trusting in his sovereignty and by praying for refugees to experience his love and care. We can love our neighbors by welcoming refugees into our communities, advocating for their rights, and providing practical support like food, shelter, and medical care.

2. Show Hospitality to Strangers

In Hebrews 13:2, we are told, “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” Hospitality is an important value in the Bible, and it is especially relevant when it comes to refugees.

Many refugees have been forced to flee their homes and leave behind their families, friends, and possessions. They arrive in new countries with little more than the clothes on their backs and often face significant challenges in adjusting to their new surroundings.

As Christians, we can show hospitality to refugees by welcoming them into our homes, churches, and communities. This can mean providing a warm meal, a listening ear, or a place to stay. By showing hospitality to strangers, we can demonstrate the love of Christ and help refugees feel valued and cared for.

3. Do Justice and Love Mercy

In Micah 6:8, we are told, “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”

Doing justice and loving mercy are central aspects of following Jesus. When it comes to refugees, this means advocating for their rights and treating them with compassion and respect. It also means working to address the root causes of the refugee crisis, such as poverty, war, and persecution.

As Christians, we can do justice by speaking out against injustice and by working to change policies and practices that harm refugees. We can love mercy by showing compassion and kindness to refugees and by providing practical support that meets their needs.

4. Be Compassionate and Kind

In Colossians 3:12, we are told, “Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.”

Compassion and kindness are essential qualities for followers of Jesus. When it comes to refugees, these qualities are especially important, as many refugees have experienced trauma and hardship in their lives.

As Christians, we can be compassionate and kind to refugees by listening to their stories, acknowledging their pain, and offering practical support that meets their needs. By showing compassion and kindness, we can demonstrate the love of Christ and help refugees feel valued and cared for.

5. Seek First the Kingdom of God

In Matthew 6:33, Jesus says, “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

As Christians, our ultimate goal should be to seek the kingdom of God and to live according to his will. This means prioritizing our relationship with God and seeking to follow him in all aspects of our lives.

When it comes to refugees, seeking the kingdom of God means trusting in his sovereignty and seeking to do his will in our interactions with refugees. It means putting aside our own fears and prejudices and responding to refugees with love, compassion, and hospitality.

6. Do Unto Others as You Would Have Them Do Unto You

In Matthew 7:12, Jesus says, “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.”

The Golden Rule is a fundamental principle of the Christian faith. It reminds us to treat others with the same kindness and respect that we would want for ourselves.

When it comes to refugees, the Golden Rule means treating them with dignity, respect, and compassion. It means putting ourselves in their shoes and seeking to understand their experiences and needs. By doing unto others as we would have them do unto us, we can demonstrate the love of Christ and help refugees feel valued and cared for.

7. Love Your Enemies

In Matthew 5:44, Jesus says, “But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”

Loving our enemies is one of the most challenging aspects of following Jesus. It requires us to put aside our own desires for revenge or retaliation and to respond to others with love and compassion, even when they have harmed us.

When it comes to refugees, loving our enemies means responding to those who seek to harm refugees with love and compassion rather than fear and hostility. It means praying for those who persecute refugees and seeking to show them the love of Christ.

8. Go and Make Disciples

In Matthew 28:19, Jesus says, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”

As Christians, we are called to share the love of Christ with others and to make disciples of all nations. When it comes to refugees, this means sharing the gospel with those who are open to hearing it and seeking to demonstrate the love of Christ in practical ways.

As we seek to follow Jesus in a world with refugees, let us remember these eight words from Jesus and seek to apply them in our interactions with refugees. By loving God and loving our neighbors, showing hospitality to strangers, doing justice and loving mercy, being compassionate and kind, seeking first the kingdom of God, doing unto others as we would have them do unto us, loving our enemies, and making disciples, we can demonstrate the love of Christ to refugees and help them experience his care and provision.