“Do Or Die” Moments Of Our Faith, Part 3: Answering Questions Regarding Jesus’ Immigration Status

Introduction- Immigrant Joy

Immigrant Mother’s Joy Revolution

Raye Zaragoza an award-winning singer-songwriter who NPR Music called “one of the most fresh and compelling voices in folk music today." Her new album Hold That Spirit  is a triumphant celebration of womanhood and freedom, created exclusively with a cast of female producers, engineers, instrumentalists, and co-writers.

“I don’t remember ever focusing on the word joy or happiness - it was never a concept of conversation.”

My mother said casually as I caught up with her on the phone from a New York City cafe, not far from where she grew up after emigrating from Japan. My jaw dropped down to the cafe’s cement floor after hearing this. If you’ve ever met Shirley Zaragoza, you know she is the human embodiment of uppercase, all caps, and bolded JOY. She is just over 5 feet tall, and is always a tiny bundle of happiness with a smile across her face, a Raye Zaragoza T-shirt on, and a succulent in her arms. My mother is bubbly, she is silly, and she is joyous. At the tender age of 66, she has a very youthful energy.

“When an immigrant family comes over it’s about survival, feeling safe, and getting food at the table. But once you’ve been here for a while, you find more joy with the community. I hope that immigrant families can get to a point where they are feeling safe enough so that they and their children can do things without feeling self conscious or fearful - because that is where happiness comes in. My parents eventually got to that point, and were less fearful of letting me do fun activities outside on my own. Success for an immigrant is to feel safe enough to interact with the world around them, and have more peace and joy. For so many immigrants, it’s such a struggle to get through that basic survival threshold.”

In today’s society, it is so easy to feel that one must earn joy, but I would like to believe that we are all deserving of the safety, security and support that sets us free to experience radical joy. We all deserve to heal our relationship to joy - and experience our own joy revolution.

Ways Which Immigrants Can Experience Joy

Improved well-being A 2018 Gallup and Erasmus University study found that immigrants generally report being happier after migrating. The study found that immigrants from sub-Saharan Africa to Western Europe were particularly likely to experience a significant increase in happiness. 

Sense of purpose Immigrants can find a sense of purpose in their new lives, such as in a church kitchen where they can use their cooking skills to create and share food with others. 

Opportunities Immigrants can find new opportunities, such as when they receive their own check or move into their own apartment. 

Sense of belonging Immigrants can experience a sense of belonging and togetherness, such as when they participate in the voting process. 

Contributing to society Immigrants can contribute to economic growth, innovation, and creativity, and enrich the food, art, and music of their new country.

However, some immigrants may experience emotional challenges, such as guilt towards undocumented family members, or identity loss and confusion.

Transition To Body- The LORD God’s Disposition Towards The Stranger

The Law

Leviticus 19:34 ESV

34 You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.

Deuteronomy 10:19 ESV

19 Love the sojourner, therefore, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt.

David’s Psalm of Thanks to the LORD God!

1 Chronicles 16:19–22 ESV

19 When you were few in number, of little account, and sojourners in it, 20 wandering from nation to nation, from one kingdom to another people, 21 he allowed no one to oppress them; he rebuked kings on their account, 22 saying, “Touch not my anointed ones, do my prophets no harm!”

The Wisdom Literature

Psalm 146:9 ESV

9 The Lord watches over the sojourners; he upholds the widow and the fatherless, but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin.

Major Prophets

Ezekiel 47:22 ESV

22 You shall allot it as an inheritance for yourselves and for the sojourners who reside among you and have had children among you. They shall be to you as native-born children of Israel. With you they shall be allotted an inheritance among the tribes of Israel.

Minor Prophets

Zechariah 7:9–10 ESV

9 “Thus says the Lord of hosts, Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another, 10 do not oppress the widow, the fatherless, the sojourner, or the poor, and let none of you devise evil against another in your heart.”

The Gospel & Jesus’ Words

Matthew 25:35 ESV

35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me,

The Epistles

Romans 12:13 ESV

13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.

Hebrews 13:1–3 ESV

1 Let brotherly love continue. 2 Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. 3 Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body.

Body

The LORD Protects His Plans

Matthew 2:13 ESV

13 Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.”

Hence an Angel of the LORD appearing to Joseph in a dream

Fulfilling what the prophet Hosea recounted

Hosea 11:1 & Matthew 2:15

Israel, God’s “son”, was rescued & delivered from Egypt.

Jesus was the one who will be revealed as God’s true son.

Like the exile, the attempt on Jesus’ life was intended to wipe out the chosen one of God.

The Egyptian border lay approximately 90 miles from Bethlehem

Finding safety outside Herod’s jurisdiction.

Hosea 11:1–12 ESV

1 When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son. 2 The more they were called, the more they went away; they kept sacrificing to the Baals and burning offerings to idols. 3 Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk; I took them up by their arms, but they did not know that I healed them. 4 I led them with cords of kindness, with the bands of love, and I became to them as one who eases the yoke on their jaws, and I bent down to them and fed them. 5 They shall not return to the land of Egypt, but Assyria shall be their king, because they have refused to return to me. 6 The sword shall rage against their cities, consume the bars of their gates, and devour them because of their own counsels. 7 My people are bent on turning away from me, and though they call out to the Most High, he shall not raise them up at all. 8 How can I give you up, O Ephraim? How can I hand you over, O Israel? How can I make you like Admah? How can I treat you like Zeboiim? My heart recoils within me; my compassion grows warm and tender. 9 I will not execute my burning anger; I will not again destroy Ephraim; for I am God and not a man, the Holy One in your midst, and I will not come in wrath. 10 They shall go after the Lord; he will roar like a lion; when he roars, his children shall come trembling from the west; 11 they shall come trembling like birds from Egypt, and like doves from the land of Assyria, and I will return them to their homes, declares the Lord. 12 Ephraim has surrounded me with lies, and the house of Israel with deceit, but Judah still walks with God and is faithful to the Holy One.

Genesis 50:19–21 ESV

19 But Joseph said to them, “Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? 20 As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. 21 So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones.” Thus he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.

Romans 8:26–30 ESV

26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

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The LORD Protects His Plans

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The LORD Experiences Exile Moments (like His people)

Jesus is a refugee, a model for suffering

Herod’s attempts to thwart God’s purpose

Hebrews 4:14–16 ESV

14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

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The LORD Protects His Plans

The LORD Experiences Exile Moments (like His people)

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The LORD Provides Hope Beyond Tragedy

Matthew 2:16–18 ESV

16 Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men. 17 Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah: 18 “A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be comforted, because they are no more.”

Hope in the Midst Of Exile

Jeremiah 31:13–20 ESV

13 Then shall the young women rejoice in the dance, and the young men and the old shall be merry. I will turn their mourning into joy; I will comfort them, and give them gladness for sorrow. 14 I will feast the soul of the priests with abundance, and my people shall be satisfied with my goodness, declares the Lord.” 15 Thus says the Lord: “A voice is heard in Ramah, lamentation and bitter weeping. Rachel is weeping for her children; she refuses to be comforted for her children, because they are no more.” 16 Thus says the Lord: “Keep your voice from weeping, and your eyes from tears, for there is a reward for your work, declares the Lord, and they shall come back from the land of the enemy. 17 There is hope for your future, declares the Lord, and your children shall come back to their own country. 18 I have heard Ephraim grieving, ‘You have disciplined me, and I was disciplined, like an untrained calf; bring me back that I may be restored, for you are the Lord my God. 19 For after I had turned away, I relented, and after I was instructed, I struck my thigh; I was ashamed, and I was confounded, because I bore the disgrace of my youth.’ 20 Is Ephraim my dear son? Is he my darling child? For as often as I speak against him, I do remember him still. Therefore my heart yearns for him; I will surely have mercy on him, declares the Lord.

David Platt, Exalting Jesus in Matthew, ed. Daniel L. Akin, David Platt, and Tony Merida, Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary (Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2013), 45

So when Matthew quotes from Jeremiah, it’s as if he’s saying amidst the bitter tragedy of Bethlehem, “Yes, the pain is real, but there is hope for your future, and that hope is here. Jesus has come!” Jesus ends the mournful exile. Notice the contrast in Matthew 2. On the one hand, there is horrible news—children dying and mothers mourning and weeping. On the other hand, there is hope in the midst of hurt. There is life in the midst of death. And what is that hope? Where is this life? Matthew tells us: A new King is born—a King who will conquer death, a King who will heal our hurts, a new King who will reconcile us to God.

Along with the coming of a new King, a new covenant is beginning. Matthew quotes from Jeremiah 31, the same chapter where we are promised that God will enter into a new covenant with us through Christ, so that all God’s people will know and love and worship God. Jesus brings hope in the midst of hurt and life in the midst of death.

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The LORD Protects His Plans

The LORD Experiences Exile Moments (like His people)

The LORD Provides Hope Beyond Tragedy

}

Transition To Close- Answering Questions Regarding Jesus’ Immigration Status

Questioning One’s Immigration Status

What is your country of origin?

When did you arrive in the United States?

How did you enter the United United States?

Have you ever applied for a change in immigration status?

Are you currently authorized to work in the United States?

Who is your sponsor?

What is your relationship to your sponsor?

Have you filed any immigration petitions related to your family member?

What is your country of origin? Not applicable, because I have always existed before there was time

Psalm 24:1 ESV

1 The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein,

When did you arrive here? Over 2000 years ago

How did you enter this world? A virgin birth through the Holy Spirit

Have you ever applied for a change in immigration status? Yes, when I stepped out of eternity

Hebrews 10:5 ESV

5 Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, “Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body have you prepared for me;

Are you currently authorized to work in the United States? Yes, my employer is God the Father

John 17:4 ESV

4 I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do.

Who is your sponsor? The LORD God

What is your relationship to your sponsor? His Only Begotten Son

Have you filed any immigration petitions related to your family member? Yes, it is the blood of a new covenant

Hebrews 8:6 ESV

6 But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises.

Close- All the children born there are citizens

In Jesus the Anticipated Salvation of God’s People Has Begun (2:15)

Matthew 2:15 ESV

15 and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, “Out of Egypt I called my son.”

Jesus Came That You May Have Life…

John 10:10–18 ESV

10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. 11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 13 He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. 17 For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.”

Jesus Came To His Own

John 1:11–18 ESV

11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. 14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’ ”) 16 For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known.

Jesus Humbled Himself

Philippians 2:5–11 ESV

5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Our Heavenly Birthright As Children In God

Ephesians 2:12–13 ESV

12 remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

Romans 8:29 ESV

29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

Romans 8:30 ESV

30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

Ephesians 1:11–14 ESV

11 In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, 12 so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. 13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.