Refuge For The Refugee
The world observed Refugee Day on the 20th June 2016. Did we pause to consider the magnitude of this crisis, or did we turn a blind eye, felt either underwhelmed, overwhelmed or unaffected? Not since World War II has this many people been displaced - an estimated 65 million! "In Syria alone, more than 11 million people have been forced to flee their homes. Organized gang violence has displaced hundreds of thousands in Central America. Climate change, armed conflict and targeted persecution of ethnic or religious groups have forced unprecedented displacement across the globe." (Michel Gabaudan - Refugees International) These numbers represent people, people like you and I with the same needs and want. How tragic for this to happen in an era where convenience and drive through technologies fund and fuel solutions for our every whim and fancy?

Mark 2, In Capernaum Jesus, was preaching in a home, filled to capacity so that there was no room, not even by the door. "And they came bringing to Him a paralytic carried by four men" and when they could not get near Him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above Him, and let down the bed on which the paralytic lay. "And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven", "I say to you rise, pick up your bed and go home!" And he rose and immediately picked up his bed and went out before them all. They were amazed and glorified God. Little is known about the paralytic, of how long he was in that condition.

He may have heard Jesus was in town and the miracles He performed but that was all he could have mustered. Scripture says four men brought him to Jesus. They joined their hearts and collective faith in taking Him to Jesus. Unfazed by the crowd that blocked the entrance, they conjured a way to Jesus. If they had to bring the roof down to lower their paralytic friend through, then it had to be done. There was just no letting up the opportunity for a miracle!

If only our eyes and hearts are conditioned to see the need of the helpless and vulnerable around us? If only we too can find creative ways and means to work around the crowd, the 'red tape', the barriers of legislation, prejudices and every evil atrocity that blocks the door to Jesus, to an opportunity for a miracle, for rescue and relief. Proverbs 22:9 says, "He who has a generous eye will be blessed. For he gives his bread to the poor!" The paralytic would never have received his healing had it not been for his rescuers, for the men who purposed in their hearts, who, moved by compassion for their fellow man, their 'neighbour', vowed in dogged determination to get him to Jesus. When Jesus saw their faith, He acted. Incredible how faith stops Jesus every time!

We must mobilize, join our collective faith in reaching out to our brothers and sisters. They are likened to 'paralytics', vulnerable, helpless and immobile. "When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 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, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me. 'Then the righteous will answer him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?' And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.' "Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.' Then they also will answer, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?' Then he will answer them, saying, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.' And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life." Matthew 25:31-46.