Five to seven thousand men, women, and children, in what has been called a “caravan,” are moving slowly from Central America to the Mexican-U.S. border with hope for help and asylum. Their movement has become a political stratagem in the rhetoric of the president of the nation of which I am a citizen. As we move toward midterm elections, the idea of this caravan is used as a hook into fear. In order to enhance the fear effect, our president throws middle-easterners and gang members into the caravan fantasy he is producing. Nicholas Kristof in the New York Times reminds us that “more than 1.4 million foreigners immigrate to the United States each year. If, say, half the caravan reaches the border, and half of those people actually enter the U.S., they would represent less than one-tenth of 1 percent of this year’s immigrants.” It seems there are other much larger problems facing the American people.
In any case, I am interested in looking at this issue as a follower of Jesus. I am able to set aside the geopolitical arguments of various political persuasions because they are not mine. And Donald Trump’s hooks are not hooks for me. What I have to say concerning those who come to the border of my nation is quite simple and straightforward: Love them. Welcome them. Respond concretely to their needs. They are reaching out for help, therefore, help them. Do unto others as you would like others to do unto you. “Give to everyone who begs from you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you.” (Jesus)
Know that when you respond to their needs, you are responding to Jesus and the One who sent him: “I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.” When did we do this? “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.” (Matthew 25:33-40)
Jesus told his followers to love their enemies and pray for those who persecute them. This love of enemies is the love that is from God, who while we were enemies to God, God reconciled us. (Romans 5:10) The kind of love that can love enemies is a love that changes all our relationships. It enables us to see (past our fears) the needs of others and respond. Jesus keeps it simple: Love people. But, of course, simple is not necessarily easy. This love requires action. Often, in the face of fear and hate, it demands our time, energy, and resources. Love is the hard, narrow road that leads to life. Jesus says that it requires us to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow him in a world that does not understand this love. This kind of love requires that it be poured into our hearts by the Spirit of God. (Romans 5:5)
Do I expect my nation or the nations of the world to operate this way? Not without a great deal of repentance, that is, change. Our relationships within and outside our nation would have to become just. We would have to stop building, maintaining, and selling arms globally. The reality is that all administrations have supported war, including war to simply maintain our hegemony. Recent administrations—whatever the party—have sold arms to Saudi Arabia and supported its war in Yemen, which has brought about massive atrocities, hunger, starvation, and refugees. It is hard to imagine the change of heart and mind that would be necessary to stop killing and to truly embrace needy people at our border and within our nation. But, as Jesus says, what is impossible for human beings is possible for God.
Followers of Jesus are called to be witnesses to God’s love and God’s ways in a world hostile to those ways. I am speaking here of those who follow. There is clearly a difference between going by the name “Christian” and following the one who is being named. We are to be salt, light, and yeast in the world—change agents. I am grateful for the witness of churches offering sanctuary for undocumented persons and for the various immigration and refugee services of churches. And the witness of other peoples of faith and their communities. And people who do not see themselves as people of faith but embrace humanity. If we truly welcome our humanity and that of others, a humanity made in the image of God, we cannot be far from God.