John 1:1-14 is too beautiful not to reference this Sunday.
Matthew 2:13-23 offers the picture of the Messiah, Son of God, born in humility, forced to be a refugee in a foreign land in order to save his life, not unlike those generations before who went into Egypt during famine in order to survive... also a time when the first born male children were killed by those threatened by their power.
Children rounded up and separated from their parents, living in caged in areas is nothing new by abusers of power who are threatened by the presence of children of God.
These children of God must be saved, by whatever means necessary - crossing rivers (in a basket) and/or crossing borders.
Survival is resistance to empire. Empire abuses power for the sake of its own wealth and status over others. Survival is the first step in standing up to and speaking truth to power. Both Moses and Jesus found themselves in Egypt, struggling to survive. Both Moses and Jesus were sent by God to speak truth to power and deliver God's children from the oppression (and occupation) of empire. Now, those who are followers of Jesus, who know Moses, are called to do the same.
People advocated on their behalf. They were sheltered from the injustice.
It is time for children of God to advocate for refugees (facing starvation or violence) and resist empire in doing so. Speak truth to power. Stand up for those who need to be sheltered from the oppressive injustice of this age. It's time to take the side of the Kingdom of God.
You cannot follow Jesus, who was a refugee, if you ignore the refugees at our border or in our neighborhoods. You are either on the side of Jesus or on the side of empire. It is your choice.
The Word made Flesh calls us to be Flesh made Word in how we live the Good News of Agape Love and Grace that Jesus taught, commanded and modeled for us in how to live in this part of God's Kingdom, here and now. If we are unwilling to live that Good News, we are not followers of Jesus.
It really is that simple.
You either will follow Jesus, or you will not.
You will be The Flesh made Word or not.
Pastor Jamie
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