Jamin Bradley

I’d like to specifically speak to the church’s heart on migrants for a moment, because I’m struggling to square up some of the wider church’s actions and beliefs on migrants with Jesus. While I understand that no country can simply have open borders, that the crimes anyone commits should be justly processed, and that migrants should ideally pursue legal citizenship, I’m baffled at some of the church’s anger on this subject, especially in light of what we know of Jesus.

Why does an illegal migrant suddenly seem to be the chief sin of the modern age? Do we think that on the day of judgment, Jesus is really going to care about where someone lived on his Father’s planet? Do we think that among all of the illegal things a person could do, Christ would say, “Sorry, you can’t come into Heaven because you snuck into another country?” Is it not his land in the first place?

Of all the expenditures our country makes, why are we so upset that our taxes might go to care for migrants? Is that not what it means to love your neighbor? Is that not a good Christian use of taxes? Would we not even be willing to pay more in taxes if it cared for those at the bottom of society? Jesus told us to keep an eye out for the poor and hurting, because he is them. Do we not want to take care of Jesus?

Why do we speak as though migrants only cross the border illegally for bad reasons? There are gut-wrenching reasons that people cross borders, like refugees who either need to break the law or face death. Are we so heartless that we would choose death over life? Aren’t we supposed to be pro-life people? Jesus himself knows what it’s like to have to flee political persecution and find refuge somewhere else. Would we have kept him out if he had been knocking on our door? Because he is the refugee and he’s knocking on our door right now.

Why are we so afraid of the other? Why do we spend all of our time demonizing them? Are we not an anti-racist movement built on the movement of the Spirit to reach all as we drop all boundaries? Aren’t we taught to not judge others, but treat them as the image of God and love both our legal and illegal neighbors? Are we blind to the planks in our own eyes? I’ve never heard of a migrant doing anything worse than any American has ever done. Are we not trained in the ways of enemy-love and forgiveness? Are we not the blessed ones because we’re meek and merciful peacemakers? Are we the good Samaritans or no? When we see another in need, do we not meet their needs in the name of Christ?

I do not recognize a Christianity that does not care about migrants (illegal or legal) because I do not see the heart, soul, mind or strength of Christ in such a religion. The church is supposed to be Jesus’ body on the earth today, and it is hard to imagine Jesus demonizing and shipping away all the illegal migrants he can find. I understand that the politics of immigration are complicated and nuanced as laws, but as a pastor I encourage the church to seek out Jesus who is nuanced about complicated people. Our primary concern as the church is matching Christ, and I think much conviction is necessary for us here if we are to be his body.