After the magi have visited Jesus, Matthew tells us that God warns them not to go back via Jerusalem because Herod’s intentions towards the child are hostile. Joseph is also warned in a dream to flee to Egypt because Herod is about to send his henchmen to kill Jesus. The family remain in Egypt until Herod dies.
This incident has been picked up on in recent times both with regards to asylum seekers here and with the response to migrants from Mexico seeking entry to the US and President Trump’s response. Ther argument runs that Jesus was a refugee, his family were fleeing one regime to seek safety or asylum in Egypt, away from Judea.
The counter argument runs that it is anachronistic to read back modern concepts of borders onto the Roman Empire. In that regard, Jesus wasn’t a refugee, certainly not an illegal immigrant bypassing border control. Technically that is correct, though ironically the argument is often made by the very people who want to read back modern states and modern borders onto Bible times when it comes to arguing for border controls and Christian Nationalism.
The point remains that Mary, Joseph and Jesus were forced to flee quickly for their own safety in order to survive and that meant leaving home, family and country for a new, temporary home. In that sense, I think it is legitimate to talk in terms of them being refugees. Whilst the primary purpose, aside from immediate safety, was fulfilment of Hosea 11:1, it also does mean that this is one way in which Jesus identifies with exiles, both literal exiles and believers who are exiles in the world.
So, I believe that it is legitimate to draw some ethical lessons here. It does matter how we treat immigrants and asylum seekers. There should be no place for racism whether overt or systemic in our churches. It means that we see those who come to live among us as humans, made in God’s image, in need of a saviour and not as a dangerous invasion.
It means for those of you who find yourselves in the asylum system or seeking leave to remain that you do have a saviour who is able to empathise with all that you go through. It means that God can use your circumstances now for his glory.
It means that all of us, living in the now and not yet are exiles. We are in the world but not of it. Our lives too have meaning as we serve Christ, looking forward to a permanent home with him.
Faithroots 