Jesus: I was a Refugee

 

(pdf file is attached below)

The God of Heaven entered an alien World

About two thousand years ago, as the prophets predicted, Jesus was born in a little town called Bethlehem in Israel. “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel. Whose goings forth are from of old from everlasting.”(Micah 5:2). Although His birth was lowly, Jesus’ birth was indeed supernatural and was surely a great miracle! Jesus’ birth was no figment of imagination or a concocted story, since here is more historical proof regarding Jesus’ earthly life than any other popular ancient figure. Born of a virgin, without any human intervention, God became incarnate by the power of the Holy Spirit (Matt.1: 22,23).  Just imagine! The God who created this universe became part of it by taking upon Himself human nature and entering the world He designed as a man. For the human mind, this is beyond comprehension, but for the Creator of this universe, it was not a difficult thing. After all, the one who created man from nothing can also become a man. It was God who designed man and thus He is more than capable to take a human nature and experience an earthly birth. (Philippians 2: 6-11) Jesus, being self-existent, never ceased being God even at His birth and as He grew as a human being. Thus Jesus being truly God and truly man simultaneously constitutes Him to being the one and only “God-man”.

Violence Breaks Out

Jesus was no stranger to the horrific violence committed by the human race. In fact, he was a victim of such violence even as a baby. At the time of his birth, Herod was King of the Judah. Herod was renowned for being a man of violence. If he suspected anyone usurping his throne, he would have him killed. Herod even murdered three of his own sons and one of his wives whom he saw as a threat to him. Nowadays, we would call him a power-loving megalomaniac.  Since the title given to Jesus at His birth was King of the Jews, Herod misunderstood this and thought that Jesus would take his throne. Therefore, King Herod ordered a massacre of all the children under two years of age at this time in Bethlehem and surrounding areas, in the hope that the child Jesus would also be killed and therefore rid Herod of his rival. Thus, there began a mass murder to keep someone in power. Just like the stories that we hear today. A dictator decides to kill those whom he thinks are against him or rival him. You can almost hear the crying mothers and distraught fathers, who, due to their helplessness, were unable to prevent this insane tragedy as they witnessed their screaming babies being butchered by a madman who loved himself. Could you imagine hearing the pangs of these parents and thinking that only if they could run away from Herod’s atrocities to protect their children they would do it no matter how hard it would be. Every parent loves their children and wants their children out of harm’s way. Like Herod, there are still thousands of men who commit violence as a means to gratify their selfish motives at the expense of others. As a result, even in our day. We see thousands of people running away from such violent men. We see millions of people who have been brutally oppressed and persecuted by someone who wants to be a  powerful person.

On the Run, As a Refugee

However, Herod could not outsmart God and destroy the child Jesus even though He was a little baby less than two years of age. Before Herod’s soldiers came to His family, God through a dream warned Jesus’ earthly parents to escape to Egypt.  Egypt was out of Herod’s jurisdiction and therefore, he had no power to exert his authority there. So began a journey of a great Refugee in the history of this world and the fall of the curtain of darkness upon the earth. So, in order to escape His murderers, Jesus, the God-Man began his travels to Egypt in search for a refuge from the political persecution of his enemy. The God who is Himself is a Refuge in this world, had to find a refuge for Himself! How could a powerful God prevent this tragedy for Himself? This would be our question to God.  It is interesting to imagine on our terms, but wait until you understand more of why Jesus went through this ordeal. Jesus the God-Man willingly took on human form in order to identify Himself with our human race. So no one could say God does not understand me. This is not any more an excuse for us. Jesus, the God -Man felt the way in which a refugee would feel. Jesus had to flee like any refugee would have done. How many people could identify with this today? The way they escaped from their adversaries? Paying money to run away from their enemies away from loved ones and their own homes. Can you now see why the LORD Jesus experienced this event in His life? Of course, we can say, yes Jesus knows how hard it is to be on the run and to escape to another country. Jesus understands pains, fears, and anxieties that every man or woman goes through as a refugee. He sympathises with those who are unjustly treated, violently violated, tortured, and made to feel why do I have to live any more in this world.

Jesus also was a stranger on earth. As a Heavenly Being, He left His Home and came to earth. It is a strange thing indeed that the God of Heaven entered the world as a man. Jesus did this because He loved His people. He cared for them. Jesus, “being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God”(Phil.2:6,7). In other words Jesus willingly became a stranger upon the earth, “…because I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down” (John 10:17,18). There was no need for Him to become a man on earth or a refugee in this world. Jesus chose to become a refugee for His people whom He loved so much.

What is the relevance to me?

Now you may say, if Jesus was a refugee, so what? If Jesus was a refugee, just like you, He sees you and your need, your inner longings. It is not any more so what, rather, O how wonderful to know the God-Man Jesus was just like me. The word of God tells us,  “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathise with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Heb.4:15,16) So Jesus relates to you as a refugee in every aspect. He knows how hard it is to be in a strange country among strange people with a completely new language. Jesus and His earthly parents Joseph and Mary had to endure a new way of life in Egypt. Perhaps they were not welcomed, or marginalized by the people of the Land. It would have been hard for them that they were not accepted and understood. Surely, we see this in our own day. Many refugees are seen as unwanted people. They are not welcome or no one is willing to hear their story and to understand their plight. Do not be surprised by it because even the Lord Jesus Christ, who created this world and gave life to the human race, had to go through these kinds of issues.

Now can you begin to see what a wonderful God Jesus is? Jesus does not stand apart from you and expect you to face all your difficulties alone. May we say Jesus, the God-Man, understands your language and desires to show you He is interested in you as a person, whatever background, religion, tribe or nationality you may belong to. As the Creator of this universe (John 1:1-3), Jesus holds everything in His hands and He cares for you and wants you to come to Him and to learn of Him.

The Refuge for a refugee

Here is another thought that would comfort everyone’s soul. The word of God says that God is the Refuge for a refugee. “The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a Refuge in times of troubles”. (Psalm 9:9) The word ‘refuge’ means a place where one can find protection, provision and safety from all present and impending or unforeseen dangers.  Jesus understands you as a refugee more than anyone in this whole world and He will be your Refuge. Jesus knows that you need a place where you can be secure, comforted, and cared for. If you honestly ask yourself, you would like to find a refuge just like this, wouldn’t you? The Lord of this universe cares for all those who are oppressed and persecuted. You are not forgotten in the plan of God.  In fact God has really a special plan for your life. How can you know this plan for yourself? You need to put your trust in Him alone and believe God’s Word as His revelation. God’s Word is the perfect plan for every human being.  “Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us.” (Psalm 62:8) Come to this Refuge Christ Jesus and find safety for your soul and meaning for your existence in this world.  Jesus invites you, “Come to Me, all you who labour and heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matt.11: 28)  This is an invitation from the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. If you come, you will find rest in Jesus. The rest is guaranteed when you come to Jesus.  The LORD Jesus Christ had to give His life to bring this rest for you. “We all have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory” (Rom.3:23) In other words, all of the human race have broken the laws of God and thus we have committed sin against our Creator. You must humble yourself and acknowledge that you are a sinner before a holy God. Sin is the reason that we are separated from God. However, the Loving God made a way back to Himself through Jesus Christ. This meant that Christ had to suffer by human hands, die a most cruel death on the cross and rose again on the third day. On the cross of Christ, God demonstrated the way back to life eternal. “God so loved the world and gave His only begotten son that whosoever believes in His should not perish but have eternal life” John There is only one Way to this rest, that is in Jesus Christ, “ I am the Way, the Truth and the Life”. (John 14: 6) Why don’t you come to Jesus? What stops you from coming to Jesus? Maybe your background, your culture, your religion or other reasons! Do not let anything keep you away from this Wonderful Refuge. He loves you without any prejudice of your entire circumstances. Jesus cares for you as an individual and in a personal way. Come and find with Jesus there is an abundance of life and joy. Indeed, Jesus is the Refuge for a Refugee.

You can download the PDF file for your use. Please do not change any content or any materials without permission.  You can use this for your ministry but do not charge.

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