America is currently divided over a very important issue: how we respond as a nation to the crisis in Syria and what to do with those who have been displaced by it. I was having a conversation with a man who professes Christ, and we started talking about this problem. In our conversation, it was revealed that this individual believes that Syrian refugees aren't the church's responsibility. "It's just too dangerous for us to deal with," he said. He continued on to state that Syrian refugees should also not be allowed to take refuge in America.
Why are you reading about this right now? Well, I believe that this conversation reflects a larger contingency of the church than some realize. While the political machine of our country argues and argues about how to handle it, the church should be stepping up to help. There shouldn't be any question as to if we should respond or not. Our only question should be "how can we help?" Don't believe me? Let's take a look at what God says about the issue. Please read through the following passage. I know that it's long, but I believe it holds the much needed perspective on this issue today.
Luke 10:25-37 HCSB
25 Just then an expert in the law stood up to test Him, saying, “Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
26 “What is written in the law?” He asked him. “How do you read it?”
27 He answered: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.
28 “You’ve answered correctly,” He told him. “Do this and you will live.”
29 But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
30 Jesus took up the question and said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho and fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him, beat him up, and fled, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest happened to be going down that road. When he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32 In the same way, a Levite, when he arrived at the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan on his journey came up to him, and when he saw the man, he had compassion. 34 He went over to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on olive oil and wine. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, ‘Take care of him. When I come back I’ll reimburse you for whatever extra you spend.’
36 “Which of these three do you think proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?”
37 “The one who showed mercy to him,” he said. Then Jesus told him, “Go and do the same.”
You need to understand that Samaritans were culturally hated in this time.This is such a powerful story of somebody looking past their own biases and helping somebody who is in need. The story ends with Jesus saying, "Go and do the same." This is the type of service that is required of us as believers.
I'm not saying that every Christian needs to pack up and move to Syria. What I am saying is that in view of what Jesus says here, there's no reason to look at this issue and say, "I'm not going to help" just because we can't look past the politics of the matter. I understand that there is risk involved, but these people are well worth the risk. God Himself came down to save them. He didn't risk dying, He knowingly came to die because He considers these people worth so much in His eyes. If Jesus considers them worth dying for, then Nick Shepherd (who is supposed to act and look like Jesus) doesn't have an excuse.
Thankfully, God is moving. Recently, I had the pleasure of attending the Passion conference. Every year there is a major offering taken up, and it blows me away what God is able to do when His church steps up. This year, the offering was for Project Haraka, an organization which is helping over in Syria. Specifically, the money taken up is going towards building a much-needed hospital in Syria. The offering goal was around $550,000, if memory serves. We were told that the $550,000 would completely pay for the new hospital and would allow over 12,000 people to have the medical treatment they desperately need. In one night, the church raised $785,127.89. That hospital is going to be built by the end of the year, and the excess will be used to provide immediate medical services to over 10,000 people. This is the type of amazing feat that God is able to do with those who are willing to serve.
This isn't a slam article or a guilt trip. It's a call to action. Maybe you are being called to go and show God's love by going to Syria and putting the well being of these people over your own. Maybe you are called to financially support humanitarian efforts. Whatever your ability is, I ask that you pray. Pray vigorously that God would show you how you can contribute and be faithful in doing whatever He reveals to you.
