Welcoming a Stranger

37Then the righteous will answer him, “Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? 38And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? 39And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?” 40And the king will answer them, “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 25:37-40 

Our church recently had a collection of items and funds to help set up a family that has been persecuted in another country.  They have come to America to start all over again in a safe environment – bringing nothing of their own.  This is a larger family than we first expected – thinking it would be a family of about 4, we later found out it was a family of 9!  The giving increased by our church family to make a home for this new family that is starting out with nothing to make a new life here among our neighbors.  They are not of any religious background or ethnicity that we share in our church, however, we were called by Christ to help the stranger.  What better way to bring the love of Christ to others than to set them up for success in a new country with a better chance at a new life?  What better way to show them that our faith and beliefs are not a danger to their way of living?  What better way to show them that we can live in peace with one another as opposed to what they experienced in their own country?   

Christ said that we were to fill the needs of those around us, for by doing so, we were serving Him.  He didn’t say to only serve those that believed as we do, nor did He say only to show mercy to those that are like us.  He said, “just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.”  Who are Christ’s family?  All those that believe that He is the promised Messiah that died and rose again to pay for all that we have done wrong in our lives.  One might ask how someone of another faith can be a member of Christ’s family if they don’t believe as we do. Although they do not currently share our faith, they may come to know Christ through the love that we share with them, so even if they are not currently be members of Christ’s family, they may come to believe in Him as their Savior by caring for and serving them as if we were serving Christ.  Our serving them may touch upon their lives in a way that opens their hearts to hearing about and accepting Christ as their savior, so that by the time we answer for what we have done in our lives in Christ’s name one day, these strangers may also be members of Christ’s family with us. 

Prayer 

Heavenly Father,

Help us to open our hearts and minds to serve not only those that already believe in Your Son as their personal Savior, but also those that do not know You or Your Son, so that, through our loving service, they may come to know and accept You into their lives and become a member of Your family with us.  Amen.