From the pastor's pen
The past few weeks have been difficult for our community. Families have been separated, emotions are at a fever pitch, and the streets resound with the sounds of protest. Yet, it is often in moments of pain and confusion that God speaks most loudly and clearly.
In Leviticus chapter 19 God says, “When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the Lord your God." Here the Lord is setting an expectation for His people. He instructs the people of Israel to, “not mistreat,” the foreigners that dwell among them. In fact, they are told to treat them as their own and love them as they love themselves. This is not a polite suggestion, or something that God would like to see happen. It is a commandment.
Whether you view the church as an unbroken continuation and fulfillment of Israel or as a new and separate thing that has been grafted into Israel by faith, this expectation falls on us as well. Jesus told us to love one another as He loves us. He told us that when we serve the least among us we are truly serving Him. If we are His disciples, if we truly follow Him, then we ought to love the foreigners among us, treat them as our own, love them as we love ourselves, and serve them.
I pray that these words and the scriptures in them bring you peace and comfort. If you or your family have been affected by the events of the week please know that we love you, we are praying for you, and we will serve you any and every way we are able. May the Lord bless you and keep you.