Episode 1227: Strangers and Foreigners

Jesus’ guidance on immigration is rooted not in politics or policy but in His life, teachings, and mission. From His own experience as a refugee in Egypt to His parables about welcoming the stranger, He consistently reveals God’s heart for the outsider. In Matthew 25, Jesus makes clear that the way we treat strangers is the way we treat Him, and the parable of the Good Samaritan expands the definition of “neighbor” beyond boundaries of race, nation, or citizenship.

The New Testament further affirms this truth: in Christ, there are no longer “foreigners and strangers” but fellow citizens in God’s household (Ephesians 2:19). Fear often drives resistance to immigration, but Jesus calls His followers to faith and love, not fear. His teachings remind us that hospitality to the vulnerable is not optional but essential to living as children of God.

Ultimately, Jesus’ approach to immigration reveals who He is: the Prince of Peace who identifies with the displaced, the Savior who turns outsiders into family, and the Lord who builds a borderless kingdom of grace. His call is for us to welcome others as He has welcomed us. In doing so, we embody the gospel and bear witness to God’s love that crosses every human boundary.