It was pointed out to me that a certain scripture set forth the biblical reason why Christians should not be supportive of the government’s attempts to control immigration into the US. The scripture referenced was: Leviticus 19:34 Any immigrant who lives with you must be treated as if they were one of your citizens. You must love them as yourself, because you were immigrants in the land of Egypt; I am the Lord your God.

Another close sister scripture would be:
Hebrews 13:1,2
Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. 2 Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.

We are all familiar with the use of scriptural references when seeking to strengthen a position or policy but I do have concerns about such activities. Often the verse pulled is done so because it bolsters the position being discussed, or aids in making a point that strengthens our side of the discussion. I used the word pulled because if read in full context the meaning might be much different. One such issue today, right now, real time is the immigration debate we are having in our country. I am prejudice toward the law and the fair and equitable application of it. The Pew does not have a law library and I don’t have a law degree but I do have a dictionary that goes with me everywhere in this digital world we live in. The subject of today’s blog is The relation of the Gospel to the law and politics of the day. We need to know what it is we are writing or speaking about and Merriam Webster is a good place to start.

Definition of immigrant:  one that immigrates: such as a person who comes to a country to take up permanent residence. I believe we can all agree that we have a flood of immigrants coming into our country every day. Now there are many ways to enter the USA , here is another group that contributes to these numbers.
Definition of refugee
:  one that flees; especially:  a person who flees to a foreign country or power to escape danger or persecution; someone who has been forced to leave a country because of war or for religious or political reasons.There is one other classification and I will list it after the next paragraph.

Definition of illegal alien/immigrant
:  a foreign person who is living in a country without having official permission to live there.

Ok, see the difference here? One group comes by choice which might be any number of reasons; economic, educational, religious, there are a host of reasons I am sure. Now that other group, they are fleeing because they have no other choice. So, not everyone is an emigrant some of these folks are refugees. The third groups status is not debatable due to the definition of the first two. BUT, by law there are certain requirements expected of all people who come to the United States. This is a very simplistic view of a very simple person, that being me. So is it reasonable for me to ask just what is the problem here? I’ll answer my own question, of course it is! Keeping this simple, here are the three things that I see are causing the problem. Government, Law and Politics. Government is necessary but messy. Law is complicated and is contrary to what we have been told, not blind. The last one, Politics, is the reason Law is not blind and Government is messy.

Migrant
: a person who goes from one place to another especially to find work.
These folks have been with us for a long time. They supply much of the
labor needed to harvest produce. We have seen at times in the past a great
deal of controversy regarding these people.

Now the last part to this situation. We are a nation in a debate, not always peaceful, that has seen some ridiculous mind boggling statements that are void of any reason other than a “my way or no way” mentality. The disturbing thing about this is that it is not about any individual’s intelligence, it is about a position that has gained a “political agenda” status which is devoid of individual reasoning and has become a “you’re with us thing”. We are a nation of laws and pride ourselves on being fair and compassionate in judging others by law and not agendas. There is no reasonable retort to the fact that our laws regarding immigration are not being enforced or carried out fairly. There is also the fact that law for the sake of law is not always compassionate. What about the gospel, what about “christian charity”? Let’s go back to Leviticus 19:34 and take a closer look at this verse.
34 Any immigrant who lives with you must be treated as if they were one of your citizens. You must love them as yourself, because you were immigrants in the land of Egypt; I am the Lord your God.

I turn to Matthew Henry’s commentary concerning this verse. God had dignified Israel above any other people but that did not give them the right to do others wrong or insult them. It is thought that the stranger referred to here is not an idolater, but a worshiper of the God of Israel. So I think that perhaps just as many of us today cite the law of the land being pushed aside for what I believe to be a partisan agenda,the scripture here alludes to the possibility that the strangers may also worship the God of Israel and require such courtesy. As we read on we are reminded that “Strangers are God’s particular care, as the widow and the fatherless are, because it is his honor to help the helpless, Ps. 146:9.

The Lord watches over the foreigner and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.

God also reminds them (the Jews) that they too were also strangers in the land of Egypt at one time. It is important to point out here that the Jews were welcomed into the land of Egypt to escape a famine in their homeland. God reminds them that although the strangers may have many issues, they (the Jews) have no way of knowing how they might turn out and perhaps it was not right or fair to despise them. I asked the question sometime ago what is the problem here?

Here is the view from the pew. Government is responsible for a big part of this mess because of its irresponsibility in enforcing the law as written or at least offering a plan that would allow some discretion within the law. Second and quite honestly even or close to overtaking the Government’s part would have to be Politics and the many different agendas, populated by people whose only goal is to secure their agenda through partisan political action groups. Thirdly, for which I will be roundly criticized is “The Church” in general. The Church should never be in the business of advocating the disobeying of legally established law or participate in helping people who would do that for political reasons. I will also say that the government of Mexico has not done a good job of taking care of it own people, at least the less fortunate among them.

So to the Government and various Political organizations, get out of the way. Both of you have shown an inability to do for the people, rather working only to serve your own interests. I appreciate a strong and stable government and the things that come with it. I do not appreciate an agenda driven political solution to a people problem that is devoid of common sense compassion. To the “Church” get off your high horse of religious indignation and discounting those who disagree with you as prejudice or uninformed. Instead just simply love and care for those that are among you and accept your responsibility to foster harmony and unity among God’s people. The final verdict of this mess is really before us every day. It is Us, We, you and me. The birth, ministry, crucifixion and resurrection of Christ brought about the reconciliation between God and his people. It also was the adoption of all people into the family of God. We are all God’s children. We need to do better for our brothers and sisters.

jk

References:   Matthew Henry Commentaires, Merriam Webster

Most all of us know the account of the feeding of 5,000 found in John 6 verses 1-13. Jesus had went across the Sea of Galilee or if you prefer the Sea of Tiberias, the people had followed watching the things he did for those who were sick. I have shared with you in past blogs how we have become so familiar with these “stories” from the bible that we often read the words and miss what lies beyond; those things which move us from mere words to the gospel and enrich our minds and fill our hearts with hope. I love to read what others have written about certain verses and I mean the plural, more than just a couple of people. There are several commentaries that I often turn to. One of my favorites is “The Daily Bible Study” series written by William Barclay.

So let’s go beyond the words and follow Mr. Barclay’s thoughts on this miracle. You can picture in your minds the moment that the disciples realized the enormity of the crowd that had followed Jesus.

It is late in the day and the first thoughts are those of any normal person.

The realization that the people must be hungry by now. Step back for a moment and consider how we have arrived at this point. Jesus was under constant pressure from the demands of the crowds that always followed him. There were times he attempted to withdraw, get some much needed rest and even if possible instruct his disciples, leading them to a better understanding of who he was and what he was doing; preparing them for what was coming. There is a lot of detail in Barclay’s writings, things that help us understand the who, what and why of our gospel readings. I will as they say “cut to the chase”.

Second was Jesus’s wish to not call attention to himself at this time.

Jesus had gotten into a boat to put some distance between him and the growing crowd. At this time it was wise to avoid any confrontation between Jesus and the authorities for it was not yet his time. Jesus got in the boat and set sail from Capernaum to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. It was easy to see the direction the boat was taking. The distance would be about four miles. Let’s set the scene.

-They were headed for the fords of Jordan and near a village called Bathsaida Julias, this was the village Philip came from. Near this village there was a little plain where the grass always grew and here will be a wondrous happening.

-The Feast of the Passover is near, meaning the roads in the area were full of people going to Jerusalem.

-Jesus went up into the hill behind the plain and he was sitting there with his disciples.

-Also it is possible that the numbers of the crowd were swelled by travelers on their way to the Passover and seeking to avoid the territory of the hated Samaritans.

Thirdly would be:

Jesus’ concern upon seeing the size of the gathering crowd and condition of the people. They were hungry and tired and the route they had taken to avoid the Samaritans had added distance and time to their travel. At this point we get to the heart of our story. The weight of the problem being laid at Philip’s feet, which was really Jesus testing him. Philip would be the natural one to go to as he would have local knowledge of the area. Philip’s despair was evident. It would take more than six months wages to feed a crowd like this and they would be doing well if they had a days wages amongst themselves. It would also be a miracle if this much food could be bought or found in this area.

Coming in at number four on the list.

Andrew, he had discovered a young boy with five loaves of barley bread and two small fishes. A couple of notes here.

-Barley bread was the bread of the very poor.

-The fish most likely small sardine like fish which swarmed in the Sea of Galilee. They would have been pickled as fresh fish were an unheard of luxury.

-Andrew was always bringing people to Jesus.
Andrew went in search of something believing God would provide. He was not accepting things as they were, he had faith in what Jesus could do. Well we know what happened here. Jesus told the people to be seated, taking the Barley bread and two small fishes, breaking them up and distributing them until all had eaten their fill. He even told the disciples to gather what was left and put in baskets, so none would be wasted. Familiar story but beyond the words is a wonderful possibility. In a world of show me and widespread hostility, miracles have a rough road to travel. Even looking back most people today discount, disbelieve or avoid accepting anything as a miracle. Old or New Testament receive the same treatment, skepticism or out right unbelief. Admit, many just find it hard to conceive and herein lies the wonder of this story. Here in my opinion is William Barclay’s uncanny ability to offer insight through the Holy Spirit that could very well be truth. The question what is “The meaning of a miracle” has many answers and explanations. The truth is we will never know what happened on that hill and plain near Bethsaida Julias. Barclay has three possibilities. I like the third one and will share it with you.

It is not likely these people had just left on a nine mile trip without making any preparations at all, considering the burden of travel in those times. Barclay also points out that if there were pilgrims on their way to Jerusalem, who got caught up in the excitement of the day and fell in with the crowd following Jesus, they most surely would have possessed supplies for their journey. Miracle, consider this when taken literally it is easy for some to question such a small amount doing so much. You know when Christ spoke about being born again, even the Apostles thinking in a literal sense were confused. Maybe these people acting as many would were not about to produce what they had allowing their human side to selfishly keep it all for themselves. Look at it this way. Jesus producing what little he and the disciples had, and with a smile thanked God for what they had and began to pass it out. Maybe the miracle was not the changing of the loaves and fish but of men and women, who seeing what Jesus did, they followed his lead.

Well we have come a long way beyond the words and I will leave you with these two points in William Barclay’s own words.

-There was Andrew. There is a contrast between Andrew and Philip. Philip was the man who said: ‘The situation is hopeless; nothing can be done.’ Andrew was the man who said: ‘I’ll see what I can do; and I’ll trust Jesus to do the rest.’

-There was the boy. He had not much to offer, but in what he had Jesus found the materials of a miracle. There would have been one great deed fewer in history if that boy had withheld his loaves and fishes.Little is always much in the hands of Christ.

*You can find ‘Daily Bible Study” at most major bookstores also can be purchased on-line. It is a complete commentary on the entire New Testament and will provide many hours of profitable study. Thanks for reading and remember that there are many paths to study and read the Gospel in this digital world,while never forgetting to pray and seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
jk

I have been trying to find the right words to began this weeks blog, which I had earlier decided not to write. Mitch Napier passed this week, Monday to be exact and for family, friends and church the loss will be felt for a long time. Funny how we dodge the reality of such by our verbiage. We could have said he died but most of us try not to say the “D” word. Death….there is a finality about that word which is in a way strange. There are many ways to say it but the reality of the result is the same. The efforts of friends, family and church to ease the grief is comforting and welcomed. One phrase of comfort I do not agree with, “in time it will be better”. I don’t believe that, I do believe that in time you will learn to tolerate it, adjust and live life as expected. Grief, the burden of which is heavy on the heart, mind and body can overwhelm the best of us. I saw such grief in Mitch’s family, friends, and his church family. There is a difference between the grief of acquaintance and the grief of love; the burden here is the heaviest to carry, but the sweetest.

The totally un-expected passing of Mitch left everyone confused and asking all the usual questions. How could this happen, I just saw him earlier in the day, this can’t be happening, why?…..Safe to say we all want this not to be true, but it is and we will have to deal with it, each in our own way. The pain and grief of his son Nathan was heartbreaking. You could see his realization of the burden he now has inherited. He is his father’s son and those traits of responsibility, compassion and living as God had intended has been passed from the father to the son. God and family and investing in the lives of others, giving without expecting any return. Living the servants life and joyfully looking forward to the day he is called home. Nathan knows he can do no less, these things his father believed, taught his family and showed his friends by his actions every day of his life.

Ecclesiastes 7:1

A good reputation is more valuable than costly perfume.
And the day you die is better than the day you are born.

The Napier family and those who have had the privilege to know them have Faith and Hope for the days to come. For we know without hesitation:

Thessalonians 4:13-14
13 And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope. 14 For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died.

Yes his passing will be a burden, but it will be a “Sweet Burden” whose fruition will be to continue to tell “The Story”, unselfishly serving others and finding peace at the foot of the cross. All of faith know a better day is coming.

jk