All around your island there’s a barricade That keeps out the danger that holds the pain You got a heart so big it could crush this town And I can’t hold out forever even walls fall down [1.]
Do walls always work? I think we can all agree to an extent that most walls work and are needed for holding stable structures. But, do walls always need to be created? Some walls aren’t needed due to other present circumstances. We know from psychological studies; emotional walls should never be up for too long or relationships will never heal or grow. [2.]
We could use this key finding in how we relate to all walls, and how they can sometimes block out “issues” that we do not want to deal with. This brings me to our current political situation regarding the Trumps administration boarder security proposal for a wall.
Three questions come to mind: 1. Do we need this wall like we need walls to hold and secure our structural foundations; or 2. would this type of wall hinder our relational growth to sustainable peace with our neighboring countries? The third question we must ask ourselves as participants of the way of Christ is: What would Jesus do (yeah, I went there)?
The reality here is Jesus’ focus was the least of these, the foreigner (the good Samaritan anyone?) and the needy. How can we deny Jesus’ way so drastically within this current administration agenda? How have we distant ourselves so far from what Christ said regarding what brings us to a place where all parties, all nationalities and all religions come to state of true peace (The Sermon On The Mount, yellooooo)?
There are a lot of factors to the reasoning behind the fear and hate towards immigration policies. Just to clear up some things. We have to understand that there isn’t an issue with border crossing, it is at an all time low. This also means that crime rates of undocumented immigrants are lower vs. native-born citizens. There are also concerns with the environmental impact such as the possibility to devastate wildlife habitats and cut off access to the rivers. The eminent domain also proves to be tricky economically as well as legally. [3.]
With that said, let’s get back to the Jesus-vision paradigm. It was always a change of direction for a better outcome (repentance). Also, let’s please not forget that the gates of the new heavens and new earth-the Kingdom of God-will always be open (Rev 21:25). It’s hell that needs its “walls” torn down (Matt 16:17-19)! It’s not about building walls but about erasing boundaries to better connect our differences with reconciliation and understanding.
A wall is not the solution. A better immigration policy that benefits all parties must be developed. I know I know, immigration reform is easier said than done. But, if we see that if we truly want all countries to flourish and live in peace, we ALL must work together (with loving patience) to produce the shalom that Jesus always attended to bring.
To do this, we must let go of our fears, biases and disdain for the immigrant. Can we come to the cross and see that Jesus died for all and forgave all due to his LOVE for all? If we can’t somewhat carry our crosses to the same extent, then why the hell are we calling ourselves “Christians”? …
Jesus makes our treatment of “the least of these brothers and sisters” the only real criteria for the final judgment (see Matthew 25:31-46). Jesus himself was a refugee, and his life and teaching show us what it means to welcome the stranger in our midst. Without love, “law and order” mentalities too often lead to dehumanization, concentration camps, and genocide. In today’s political arena there is a lot of finger-pointing; we need to move beyond blame and rhetoric to take action on behalf of those who are suffering. [4.]
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