“…weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.” (Matt. 2:18 and Jer. 31:15)
Just days after celebrating the birth of Jesus, this passage in Matthew 2 where Joseph, Mary and Jesus fled to Egypt was what I woke up to as the assigned passage for today in an app I use. And I found myself tearing up as I thought of how many women and whole villages or cities are weeping for their children today “and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more”. Far more, I’m sure, than I can fathom. In Iraq, Syria, South Sudan and Nigeria – and probably so many other places I know nothing about.
There is some debate over whether or not Joseph, Mary and Jesus were refugees in this passage. I’d say there’s a pretty good case for calling them political refugees as Jesus’ life was in danger precisely because Herod had heard the King of the Jews had been born (vs. 2-3). When he realized the Magi had left without reporting to him where the baby was, he ordered all of the baby boys in and around Bethlehem (for that was where the Messiah was to be born) to be killed. All the baby boys age 2 and under were no more. All of them, well except the One who escaped in the night. All so that King Herod could keep his throne secure. And, surely, there were many mothers who refused to be comforted.
But regardless of the terminology we choose to use, one thing is clear to me from this passage – Joseph, Mary and Jesus very much know what it’s like to flee for their safety. They have far more in common with refugees and asylum seekers around the world today than I do. They know the sorrow and insecurity intimately. They also know what it’s like to be led through such treacherous circumstances by the very hand of God, through the dreams Joseph had (vs. 13, 19). Even their initial escape in the night came about this way (vs. 13-14). And I’ve heard of similar stories among today’s refugees and people facing persecution. Miracles, visions, dreams – signs and wonders from the very hand of God. For the same God who led Joseph then is inviting these ones (and all of us) to trust Him now. He is calling out even to those who do not yet know Him.
And He sees the women weeping for their children. He sees them – in the Middle East, in Africa, in Asia – everywhere they weep. And we know the very heart of God is this, “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.’” (Matt. 9:36-38). “Harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd” – how many in the world today fit that description? How many literal lives depend on an outside intervention, or a miracle from God, at this very moment?
We know he sees them, so my question is, “Do we?” And if so, how can we respond?
(Disclaimer: I acknowledge that the refugee crisis is a complicated situation and there are varying political views on the subject. I’m not trying to speak to politics here. I just want us to “see” them, let our hearts be moved, and ask God what we as individuals (or groups) can do. From the stories I’ve heard, there is a great harvest coming in, and I believe if we pray and do as God leads, it will be even greater.)
beautyforourashes 