Travelers

People are on the move in the Bible! From the Hebrew people fleeing away from Egypt to escape Pharaoh’s wrath, to Jesus’ family fleeing into Egypt to avoid the violent brutality of King Herod, everyone is moving. Jesus himself was never stationary, dropping in and out of cities all along the banks of the Galilean Sea and Jordan River. Many historians suggest that Jesus was on the move, not only to reach new people, but also to remain out of harm’s way.

Scriptures are filled with stories of God leading people to new lands for a variety of reasons. In God’s vision, the gift of mobility is provided for all of God’s people. It’s the people, not the land, that is Holy. So, who are God’s people? If we believe in a loving and inclusive God, then the only answer that makes sense is… all people. If I had to narrow down the definition of God’s people, it’d say anyone who is facing persecution.

Scriptures are filled with the stories of people relocating. Technically, unless your family is native to America, we are all strangers in this land. The ancient writer encourages us to “remember that we are all strangers in Egypt” (Deut. 24:18). We are all strangers with different histories. Nearly ten million people were brought here from Africa on slave ships against their will. No matter the reason you’re here, we all share the persecution of our people in common.  Even if your family was fleeing the oppression of England’s King George. The key question is… How do our histories, often littered with prejudice, shape how we relate to current newcomers?

People around the world long have seen America as the “Promised Land.” But, my friends, there is nothing magical about our soil. No… we are a people. The same is true for our church. It isn’t where we are that matters, it’s that we are! We are God’s people. What defines us is our generosity, hospitality, and our love for one another.

What if, as God’s people, we became known for our compassion? What if we become known as a refuge for the less fortunate and mistreated? What if, rather than dividing us, our differing identities brought us together? What if we gravitated toward the people who are persecuted today because we recognize the persecution that our own people faced themselves somewhere throughout history? God is found not only in the people fleeing, but also among the people that welcome the stranger. God lives where refuge resides.

Embracing all,

Pastor Lucas

Photo by Kyle Glenn