Posted on 07/12/2018 4:37:16 AM PDT by simpson96
In the face of a global refugee crisis, Christians from Pope Francis to American evangelicals have tried to inspire sympathy for people fleeing violence and persecution by pointing out that Jesus himself was once a refugee.
The Christian Gospels suggest that Jesus’ family fled to Egypt shortly after he was born to escape a massacre ordered by a tyrannical king. The family lived in Egypt until the death of that king.
For many Christians, the fact that the founder of their faith was a refugee means that they are called to welcome and serve migrants and refugees today.
But according to Paula White, spiritual adviser to President Donald Trump, that’s not the right way to interpret this Biblical story.
Earlier this month, White spoke on the Christian Broadcasting Network about visiting a foster care facility in Bristow, Virginia, that was reportedly taking care of several migrant children. Asked to reflect on the Bible verses that came to mind during her visit, the televangelist said that many Christians misconstrue the story about Jesus’ escape to Egypt.
White claimed that although Jesus was a refugee, he didn’t cross borders illegally.
“I think so many people have taken Biblical Scriptures out of context on this, to say stuff like, ‘Well, Jesus was a refugee,’” White said in the CBN interview published Monday. “Yes, he did live in Egypt for three-and-a-half years. But it was not illegal. If he had broken the law, then he would have been sinful and he would not have been our Messiah.”
(Excerpt) Read more at msn.com ...
I guess the king trying to kill you is a REALLY high tax.
Paula White—pffft.
There is so much of erroneous assumptions made by liberal Christians and ignorant non-Christians that I hardly know where to start.
First though, Jesus’ stepfather was not homeless. He was an established tradesman who only left his home because of a Roman edict that said he had to go home to his tribes birthplace to be counted for the census and then pay taxes. Joseph after doing what was commanded by the Emperor was commanded by higher authority to go to Egypt until the king was gone. To do this would have been something that Joseph was not prepared to do, this would have been an expense he wasn’t planning for. Fortunately God sent some number of wise men from the orient and offered gifts to Jesus of great worth including gold. the problem of financial planning was solved and Joseph and his young family were now well off and able to make the trip to Egypt with great finances, not exactly refugees in the sense we are used to today, almost more like vacationers.
Joseph and Mary both had well established families as referenced by Luke and Matthew in their genealogies. The families would have looked after Joseph’s holdings while they were gone.
Many refer to Joseph & Mary as homeless. They were never homeless, only away from home.
God did not trust the rearing of His Son to chance. He selected a woman above reproach and held in high esteem or highly favored by God Himself. God sent angels to instruct Joseph what to do to care for His son and His son’s mother.
These were well thought of people. They had the faith and means to make trips to The Temple, a trip of three days journey. These trips cost money for travel expense and for purchasing animals for sacrifice at The Temple.
These were the kind of people that today we would call “the salt of the earth”. The Son of Mary was instructed in the Jewish law well enough that by the age of 11 He was able to give pause to the elders of The Temple that He conversed with.
Jesus was well educated, Jews were the most educated society of ancient times. Jesus was able to quote scripture seemingly effortlessly to the multitudes when asked questions. He couldn’t quote scriptures or give the right answers because He was The Son of God, but because He was not ignorant of life and law. He was not ignorant because His stepfather and mother taught Him well.
Because Jesus was The Son of God He was able to recall what he was taught and put to good use. He was likely taught by otherworldly messengers or angles too.
He was never a homeless refugee like the homeless refugees He is often compared to.
Jesus was a refugee who then WENT BACK TO HIS HOME COUNTRY.
That is the part that never happens today.
THANK YOU! I was looking all over for someone to point out this very simple, end-of-discussion fact.
Yeah. That “wall of separation between church and state” becomes a curtain in liberal hands.
You’re welcome.
JAKraig: Thank you for your well thought out and written post #23.
Good point at post #17. Thanks.
Ditto.
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