Many years ago I attended a short course on christian communication. In one of those classes, I was taught a fresh view on the person of God. I honestly cannot remember the teacher, nor the details of his teaching. But his main thesis stood in my mind until now: God is biased towards the poor. I have no problems with the notion that God loves the poor. But he insisted that there is a bias. God does not love the rich the same as He loves the poor. No. He loves the poor more. He does not love me the same as He loves the poor. No. He loves the poor more. That teacher brought us through passage after passage in Scripture to emphasize his point and at some point I saw that he had a point. The intention of the teacher was to provoke. And provoked I was. Just to be open to the view that God is partial towards the poor shook my fundamental outlook. Because if I love God, I too need to be partial towards the poor. It is not good enough that I am kind and generous. I need to make sure that my kindness and generosity in greater measure benefit the poor.

Jesus’ parable about the sheep and the goats reflects this bias. Most of us would read these verses and think that Jesus is merely encouraging us to be kind and generous. But in truth, it was a specific group of people who were highlighted: the poor and needy (hungry, thirsty, needing clothing), the stranger, the sick, the one in prison. This is because in his conclusion, Jesus said “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” He identifies himself with them. This is his major point. Even more telling is the fact that he also spelled out the corollary:

“I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.” (Matthew 25: 45, emphasis mine)

I simply understand it to mean that if I have never been a blessing to someone who is poor and needy, or a stranger, or sick, or in prison, I have never been a blessing to Jesus. Doesn't matter if I have done many great things in church. Or sing like an angel. Or write like Shakespeare. Or preach like, uh, well, you know what I mean.

If you read the parable carefully, you will see that Jesus did not say, “Be kind to the poor and the needy, the stranger, the sick and those in prison.” What he said was, “whatever you do for even the least of this group of people, you do so for me.” This is the truth. Now do what you will.

“If you are ever grateful to me, show that gratitude by your kindness and generosity towards a member of group of people. If you have never shown kindness and generosity towards anyone in this group of people, well, ...” This is how I understand what Jesus said.

Two thoughts came when I wrote this:

1. Just like at some funerals where the family requests that no wreaths be sent, but that well-wishers may donate some money to charity, Jesus in this parable tells us that he has bequeathed all gifts to him be channelled to the poor and needy.
2. A multiple choice question, like Peter Young's zingers:

Which do you think God will choose to symbolise his glory:

1. A massive RM50 million church complex with thousands of worshippers
2. A ten thousand strong choir singing his praises
3. The gratitude of thousands of the poor and needy

In this group of people that Jesus identifies himself with, is “the stranger.” I am no bible scholar. Never been to a seminary, so take what I say for what it is worth. But I don't think “the stranger” refers to a person whom you do not know. I really don't think that the Bible is advocating that you invite total strangers into your home. Although that would be the dictionary meaning. “Stranger” would probably be more like the “alien” in the Old Testament whom the Jews were commanded to show kindness to:

Do not oppress an alien; you yourselves know how it feels to be aliens, because you were aliens in Egypt. (Exodus 23:9)

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. (Leviticus 19:34)

Or as Peter describes us as Christians,

To God's elect, strangers in the world, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance. (1 Peter 1: 1-2, emphasis mine)

These are migrants, or refugees. People who do not belong, and who have little or no rights.

Another way to understand “the stranger” would be as suggested by Eugene Peterson in his translation of the Bible “The Message”:

I was hungry and you fed me, I was thirsty and you gave me a drink, I was homeless and you gave me a room, I was shivering and you gave me clothes, I was sick and you stopped to visit, I was in prison and you came to me.’

(Matthew 25: 34-36, The Message, emphasis mine)

The homeless. The migrant and the refugee have fled their homes and their homeland. They are homeless in our homeland.

Jesus receives our act of kindness when we make room for even one of them.

Would we be in a situation where we will hear Jesus say:

I was hungry and you gave me no meal, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was homeless and you gave me no bed, I was shivering and you gave me no clothes, Sick and in prison, and you never visited.’

(Matthew 25: 41-43, The Message)

Just as when he first came, and there was no room for him.

The issues surrounding migrants and refugees are many and complex. I do not mean to simplify them and suggest simplistic approaches to these issues. However in our hearts our attitude towards migrants and refugees must not be complex. Jesus has laid down the choices for us very clearly. He tells us:

“I am the stranger.”

TK Tan is just an ordinary guy who puts his years of familiarity with computers and the internet to productive use.

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