Introduction
When Jesus was a child, his family fled to Egypt to escape King Herod. In today’s world, they would be considered refugees. In Matthew 25, Jesus identifies himself with the stranger and the vulnerable, teaching us that to welcome the refugee is to welcome Christ.
Key Themes
Jesus Was a Refugee
The Holy Family’s flight to Egypt shows us that Jesus himself shared the migrant story.
The Stranger as Christ
In Matthew 25, Jesus equates welcoming the stranger with welcoming him.
The Children of Displacement
Half of the world’s 42.7 million refugees are children. Behind statistics are real faces and stories.
Hospitality as Discipleship
Biblical hospitality is not optional. Welcoming the stranger is central to Christian discipleship.
Sanctuary Then and Now
From the 1980s Sanctuary Movement to today’s ministries, the church has stood with immigrants seeking safety.
Next Steps
Personal Practice:
Read Matthew 25 daily this week and pray about how Christ meets you in the stranger.
Reflect on a time you felt like a stranger and who welcomed you.
Offer a greeting to someone new in your community or congregation.
Community Practice:
- Support immigrant families through local ministries or legal aid.
- Volunteer with or donate to refugee resettlement organizations.
- Join in advocacy for just and humane immigration policies.
Join Us
Come next Sunday at 9:30 & 11 AM as we continue A Biblical Perspective on Immigration. Bring a friend to hear how God calls us to radical hospitality.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Was Jesus really a refugee?
Yes. Matthew 2 tells us Jesus’ family fled to Egypt to escape Herod’s violence. In modern terms, they were refugees.
Q: What does Matthew 25 teach about immigration?
Matthew 25 shows Jesus identifying with the vulnerable. To welcome the stranger is to welcome Christ himself.
Q: How many refugees are children today?
Nearly half of the world’s 42.7 million refugees—about 21 million—are children.
Q: What is the Sanctuary Movement?
A faith movement that began in the 1980s, when churches offered protection to Central American immigrants. Many congregations continue this today.
Q: How can churches live out Matthew 25?
By practicing hospitality, supporting legal aid, offering sanctuary, and advocating for justice alongside immigrant families.
Closing Reflection
From Egypt to Ellis Island, from scripture to our own neighborhoods, God calls us to welcome the stranger. When we open our doors to immigrants and refugees, we do not only welcome them—we welcome Christ himself.
