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“Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.” Hebrews 13:1-2 NIV
The author of Hebrews may have been alluding to Abraham and Sarah who did entertain angels in Genesis 18. Daniel and I dig deeper into this story to discuss important lessons about hospitality that apply to all Christians across all cultures and all time.
We also discuss the importance of believers embracing their biblical sojourner identity. Minority Christian communities, historically, have better understood their pilgrim identity because of their visceral experience as outsiders.
In this episode, we analyze an important Scripture passage that holds the clue to God’s posture toward immigrants:
“As for the foreigner who does not belong to your people Israel but has come from a distant land because of your great name and your mighty hand and your outstretched arm—when they come and pray toward this temple, then hear from heaven, your dwelling place. Do whatever the foreigner asks of you, so that all the peoples of the earth may know your name and fear you, as do your own people Israel, and may know that this house I have built bears your Name.” – 2 Chron 6:32-33 NIV.
King Solomon remembers and intercedes for foreigners when he prays at the dedication of the temple in Jerusalem.
I hope this three-part conversation has helped you discover the history of migration in the Bible. We cannot read the Bible without noticing not only the role of migration in salvation history but also God’s heart toward the foreigner. My desire is that this knowledge translates into action and inspires us to respect and dignify the foreigners and show them radical, biblical kindness.
My takeaways from this episode:
- My mind was blow away when I understood the concept of “the hospitable personhood of God.” God created this world out of His abundant love and grace and opened up His home for us to live and thrive. Isn’t that amazing?
- Diaspora believers must be considered a gift to the American church. Over 61% of immigrants today in America are Christians who can bring new life and renewal to the American church.
About Daniel Montanez
Daniel Montañez is a Ph.D. student at Boston University in theology, ethics, and philosophy. He is an adjunct instructor at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and Pentecostal Theological Seminary. He is also the founder and director of Mygration Christian Conference and the Migration Crisis Initiative for the Church of God. He is the co-editor of The Church and Migration: A Theological Vision for the People of God.” He lives in Boston, MA, with his wife.
Learn about Mygration Christian Conference here.
Write to Daniel – daniel8@bu.edu.
About Mabel
An immigrant from India who has lived in seven cities across the U.S. in fourteen years, Mabel navigates between cultures, feeling at home everywhere and nowhere. In her first book, Far from Home: Discovering Your Identity as Foreigners on Earth, Mabel draws from her personal experience as an immigrant and examines the lives of biblical heroes to shed light on how we can find purpose and joy as sojourners on earth. Go to mabelninan.com to sign up for Mabel’s emails.
FREE Resource
Download the tip sheet, Love Your Immigrant Neighbor : 5 Action Steps.
