Flight for Asylum by Pastor Ken Jackson
Published Week of 12/13/2018 The Sentinel of Gloucester County Weekly Newspaper
“I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” Often repeated and easily memorized, this version of the pledge since 1954 has been a part of our American fabric. Because we recite this so routinely we often miss those important and powerful words “indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”
Like the words in our Declaration of Independence which state “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” These rights were not granted by government and were not limited to the people of the United States. They were God bequeathed and address people of every race and nationality. These words are sometimes overlooked in our casual reading.
Within the heart of every human being is the desire for this liberty; this pursuit of happiness. It is not an American thing only. We are blessed that enshrined in our way of life is the freedom to pursue and enjoy these rights. And how great is it that America is still a “shining city upon a hill whose beacon light guides freedom-loving people everywhere”?
Christmas is full of stories where the full impact of the season can be missed through careless readings. Consider the early travels of Jesus. His father Joseph was warned in a dream that Herod would try to kill the child. Joseph took his wife and his child and fled to Egypt. It was a flight for asylum.
After a few years Herod died and Joseph could return to Israel. However, he had to avoid Bethlehem because Herod’s son, Archelaus, could still be a threat. So they settled in Nazareth of Galilee. If you read this story hurriedly you will fail to recognize a powerful truth that ought to affect every God-loving person. Jesus and his family fled Bethlehem seeking refuge in Egypt, and then later in Nazareth, to avoid Herod’s massacre of several hundred babies less than two years old in the region.
What you must not overlook in this story is the strong possibility that Jesus could identify with people fleeing their homeland to find sanctuary. The Old Testament is filled with incitements to the people of God reminding them that they too were once aliens, immigrants and foreigners. Therefore, they were enjoined to love, care for and have mercy on those who were refugees seeking asylum in a place where they had heard that freedom rings. Let that sink in!
Open borders would be irresponsible but open hearts and compassionate empathy is always right. Let’s not miss this in our reading of the story of Jesus this Christmas! Pray for wise and godly solutions to our border issues and for God’s people to demonstrate a heart like Christ in our opining.
Pastor Ken teaches each Sunday at 10:00 at Cornerstone Church. We meet at 1875 Janvier Rd in Franklin Township.