Paraphrasing Michelangelo, Dr. Dacher Keltner writes, “To touch is to give life.” I highly recommend his article Hands on Research: The Science of Touch, in which he explains how “compassion is literally at our fingertips.” In Luke 5:12-17, we read the story of Jesus reaching out to touch a man with leprosy. By doing so, he breaks the Jewish purity laws, becoming unclean in the eyes of the crowd. I can imagine the collective gasp, followed quickly by awe as Jesus speaks: “I choose, be clean,” and the man is instantly healed. Jesus becomes unclean to make the man clean. This is the heart of Jesus' ministry: to proclaim the kingdom of God in both word and deed.

As the Son of God, Jesus took on human flesh to bear our iniquities (Isaiah 53:5). He was like us in every way (Hebrews 2:17), and by bearing our sins in his body, he offers us healing through his wounds (1 Peter 2:24). Jesus reaches out in compassion to heal, and compassion is at the core of his mission. To touch is to give life; in this act of compassion, Jesus gives the leper life.

Compassion requires three things: emotional awareness, motivation to help, and an active response. Jesus demonstrates all three. As I prepared to preach on this passage, I found myself deeply moved by the current situation of immigrants and refugees. Whatever your political stance, scripture is clear about how we are to treat the stranger. Jesus himself was a refugee, and throughout the history of Israel, the people were immigrants: enslaved in Egypt, exiled in Babylon, and always seen as outsiders by these societies. Yet, in each of these moments, they were still God’s beloved children. Here are just a few of the many scriptures that speak to this:

“You shall also love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.” (Deuteronomy 10:19)

“The alien who resides with you shall be to you as the citizen among you; you shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.” (Leviticus 19:34)

“Cursed is anyone who withholds justice from the foreigner, the fatherless, or the widow.” (Deuteronomy 27:19)

As some of you know, I serve on the board of Take the Next Step, a community service nonprofit in the Sky Valley region (Monroe and eastern Snohomish County). During our board meeting last week, we discussed the fear many of those we serve are experiencing, particularly because they are immigrants. My daughter recently shared how some of her friends changed where they shop after an anonymous and erroneous Facebook post falsely claimed that ICE was at a local Walmart. I also recently heard an interview with an Afghan refugee who was scheduled to arrive in the U.S. with her family in February. They’ve now been denied entry and risk being sent back to Afghanistan, where their lives may be in grave danger. These families feel betrayed, especially since they were thoroughly vetted and granted asylum.

I am aware that immigration policy is complex and that there are a variety of views in our communities and probably at EPC. I hold my own beliefs on the specifics of policy which I’m sure you can deduce. Although, I am not advocating for a specific immigration or refugee policy in this post, I do believe that carefully vetted refugees should not be denied a chance at a new life. Rather, I am advocating for a particular attitude toward others. Jesus modeled compassion in every part of his life. He saw the suffering of others, was motivated to act, and responded with generosity and love. This piece may cause some people to be frustrated or angry. Some of you may disagree with parts of it and I invite you rather than harbor those thoughts and feelings privately to talk about them with a spirit of curiosity. My door is open and I’m happy to talk.

May we, as followers of Christ, embody this same compassion. The love of Christ, poured out into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, should be the lens through which we view others—not just those who agree with us, but all people, especially those who are marginalized or in need. Compassion is not partisan; it is Christlike. Immigrants and refugees are people not a disembodied policy. In many cases they are people who are hurting and overlooked. Let us pray for the courage to embody this compassion in every aspect of our lives. May we see the suffering of others, be moved to act, and respond in love.

In Christ’s name,
Pastor Patrick