Alien Love
"Love him [the alien] as yourself, for you were aliens in Egypt" Lev. 19:34.

Ahmad, a Bosnian Muslim, stood outside the frail shack where his family had huddled for three years. Though the sun was shining, his thoughts were gloomy, "When will we ever escape this refugee camp and emigrate to Canada? And even if we do, what will become of us in a foreign land?"

Ming, a young Chinese woman, checked everything once again: suitcase, passport, plane tickets. Yes, she was ready. So, she kissed her parents good-bye and walked on to Flight 1062 from Beijing to Seattle. Her dream to attend college overseas was coming true, but flying over the Pacific, Ming wondered, "Who will care about me on the other side of the world?"

Long ago beside Mount Sinai, the Lord commanded Israel: "When an alien lives with you in your land, do not mistreat him. The alien living with you must be treated as one of your native-born. Love him as yourself, for you were aliens in Egypt. I am the LORD your God" (Lev. 19:33-34).

What do foreign-born persons fear in another country?

• Taunts and cold shoulder treatment
• Limited rights and privileges
• Physical harm and even oppression

But God calls us to:

• Not mistreat aliens
• Treat them like family
• Love them as we love ourselves

What a tall order! But to help us fulfill His commands, the Lord adds two elements of promise.

1. He reminds us of what He has done: "... for you were aliens in Egypt" (v. 34). The power to love aliens comes from an alien source, a source outside ourselves--God Himself. As former slaves in Egypt, the Lord called the Hebrews to treat the aliens in their midst with the same love and mercy He freely showered upon them.

Similarly, God has rescued us Christians "from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins" (Col. 1:13-14). As former rebels against God--now pardoned and made citizens of heaven (Phil. 3:20)--the Lord empowers us by His Spirit to treat the aliens in our midst with the same love and mercy He freely showers upon us.

2. The Lord reminds us of who He is: "I am the LORD your God" (v. 34). Xenophobic neighbors may fret about the arrival of "those foreigners." Bigoted relatives may scorn you for treating aliens like family. Ignore their protests. Fear not, because the LORD your God is in charge. In His sovereign plan for the nations, He has brought these newcomers to your community. So, love them with the alien love the Holy Spirit supplies you.

And when we treat Ahmad and Ming in this manner, how will they feel?

• Astounded
• Relieved
• Thankful
• And curious why we love them so.

1. Compare Lev. 19:33-34 to Matt. 22:39. In what ways might people treat newcomers as:
   * as non-existent?
   * as a nuisance?
   * as neighbors?
2. Who are the aliens in your community to whom you can demonstrate God's liberating mercy?
3. What more does Deut. 31:12 reveal about serving aliens?

1. Identify one way to make a foreign-born person in your community feel loved and accepted. Empowered by the Spirit, carry out your plan.
2. Visit www.Pentecost2000.com to learn how God is using Lutheran congregations to reach out to aliens and others in their communities.