Syrian Refugees – What Would Jesus Do?
The View from the Middle
“What would Jesus do about the
Syrian refugees?” I’ve heard this question
more than a few times in the last week.
The people asking it think they are being quite clever and painting
Christians into an indefensible corner.
These people are often not Christians and have at best a superficial
knowledge of the Bible.
My response has been, “Which Jesus
are you talking about?” According to the
Bible, Jesus is the Son of God and a very intricate being, possessing many
qualities. Is He compassionate and
forgiving? Absolutely! He died for all our sins. ALL OUR SINS!
But He is much, much more.
He is the Lion of Judah, powerful
and even frightening. In Daniel, He is
the stone that smashes the kingdoms of the world. He is the Rider of the white horse in
Revelation that judges and makes war. He
is also just and will hold us all accountable for our choices here on earth. This is the quality of Christ that I believe
matters most as we discuss our handling of the refugees from Syria. Jesus is the perfect judge. He is not a good judge. He is not a great judge. He is the PERFECT judge.
With Jesus as the judge of these refugees,
not a single lying, inhuman, psychopathic, murdering ISIS believer would make
it to the United States or anywhere else in the world. But we aren’t Jesus, and the WWJD bracelets don’t
suggest that we can “be” Jesus. They would
simply urge us to “try” to be more like Him.
In this case they would recommend that we should try to be the very best
judges of these people that we can, and I think that is exactly what the bill
that just passed The House is trying to achieve.
The people who handle our country’s
security, like FBI Director James Comey, are saying that our vetting process
for these particular refugees is ineffective.
Given that fact, we should take this opportunity to pause and reflect. We should study and improve that
process. That would make us better judges
of these refugees and thus more like Jesus.
That process will never be perfect, but if we make the effort, it will
be more reliable than it is today.
Finally, I do get some comfort from
knowing that Jesus will eventually judge each of these thugs and they will
receive true justice. I can’t imagine
what God’s justice will be for these monsters, but I’m sure it will be
appropriate. Feel free to use your own
imaginations here.
Reports of Christian refugees being beheaded, crucified, chopped up by machette, small children whose faces are intentionally shoved into hot coals; and most recently the reports of Christian refugees attempting to cross the Mediterreanean who were tossed over board to drown, and a host of other atrocities without number come in the news. God calls his people sheep for a reason. Vengence is mine says the Lord, I will repay. So what did Jesus do? To the proud, arrogant and self-righteous He gave the law, which is a hammer that breaks the hard heart. To the humble, broken and contrite he offered good news of grace through his atoning sacrifice. Jesus knew God had appointed a day to judge all the earth in righteousness according to is Word. Every intent, motive and thought along with words and actions will be brought to light. Every idle word will be judged. He said He will be quick to judge sorcerers and diviners; and all those who make a lie. Jesus requires us to help the poor, the weak and those who can’t defend themselves; along with clothing the naked, aiding the widow and caring for the fatherless like the orphan. Our nation joined in judgment against the Nazi atrosities on a moral prerogative which demanded action. On what moral base is our nation qualified to discriminate between good and evil after 55 years of legal sophistry? Our nation is unqualified. Is a nation who dehumanizes a baby in the womb and approves (law, word, action, and silence) the butchering of babies for profit qualified to speak authoritatively on anything that remotely approaches morals and ethics? I think not. The unthinkable has become thinkable. Praise God for the testimony of two Christian Afgan brothers who were delivered from a cave by an Angel of the Lord while being guarded by 20 soldiers who were told they had to renounce Jesus or die. Jesus still saves.
ReplyDelete