How Would Jesus Treat An Immigrant?

Imagine Jesus walking through our modern world, where lines between nations and people are often drawn sharply, and the word “immigrant” can stir both compassion and controversy. In His eyes, however, every person— whether native or immigrant— was embraced with the same warmth and love. Jesus never distanced Himself from those who were different. He didn’t see people through the lens of borders or nationalities but through the eyes of unconditional love.

During His time on earth, Jesus frequently encountered people from diverse backgrounds, individuals who were often excluded because they didn’t fit societal norms. He didn’t shy away from engaging with them. Instead, He sought them out. There was a woman He met at a well, someone who came from a different community and had a complicated past. Despite the cultural and social barriers, He reached out to her, offering her dignity and a sense of belonging that had long been denied.

When we look at how some modern evangelicals respond to immigrants, there can be a noticeable contrast. In certain circles, welcoming the immigrant is often met with hesitation, driven by concerns over security, politics, or economic pressures. Fear can sometimes cloud the view, leading to division rather than the embrace Jesus modeled. But if we closely observe the life of Jesus, we see a radical openness. He moved beyond the boundaries of fear and division, showing that love knows no borders.

In His interactions, Jesus crossed ethnic and cultural lines with ease, demonstrating that kindness and compassion are meant for everyone, regardless of their background or origin. When a Roman soldier, which in Jesus’ culture not only would have been a foreigner, but an invader in every sense, came to Him seeking help, Jesus responded with empathy and action. He saw the person in need and acted with grace.

Jesus didn’t yell and scream about immigrants eating people’s pets, he didn’t encourage people to build walls, and he didn’t demonize people from other parts of the world. Jesus loved the immigrant. Jesus loved the immigrant because the immigrant, just like the native, is a child of God. Jesus loved the child of God.

It is human to feel uncertain about those who are different from us. Immigrants often bring with them cultures, languages, and practices that are unfamiliar, and this can stir fear or discomfort. Yet, Jesus showed us that love is not based on comfort—it’s a commitment to embrace the marginalized, even when it requires us to step outside of our own boundaries. He knew the pain of being displaced, as His family had once fled their homeland to seek safety in a foreign country. In this, we see that Jesus understood the immigrant experience deeply.

Jesus told us to love our neighbor. Yet in many evangelical circles today, those who claim to be His followers demonize their actual neighbors to the South.Their neighbors. Children of God. This should trouble our hearts.

The way we respond to immigrants today is an opportunity to reflect the love and openness that Jesus modeled. Where some may build walls, Jesus built bridges. He invited those on the outside to come in, and He demonstrated that a life of faith means welcoming the stranger, the immigrant, the outsider. Jesus didn’t view people as threats or burdens. He saw each person as a beloved child of God, deserving of care, respect, and love.

In the Kingdom of God, we are all immigrants. The next time you mock, criticize, or demonize an immigrant, remember that. Some evangelicals want to make a point of calling out illegal immigrants and they don’t like the word undocumented — they want it to be known that the person is “illegal.” Yet, these same evangelicals believe they themselves will be let into Heaven — despite their sin and lawlessness — because of grace. They believe they will be illegal immigrants into Heaven who are welcomed. This should trouble our hearts.

As modern followers of Christ, we are invited to extend that same radical hospitality. The immigrant in our midst is not just a passerby; they are our neighbor, carrying with them stories of hardship, courage, and hope. We must ask ourselves whether we are willing to meet them with the same compassion that Jesus showed. Are we ready to open our doors and hearts to those seeking safety, opportunity, and community?

Ultimately, Jesus’ treatment of the immigrant teaches us that love transcends any boundary. It asks us to move beyond political or social divisions and to embrace every person with the same love and grace we have been shown. The immigrant is not an outsider—they are our neighbor, deserving of the same dignity, compassion, and care that Jesus extended to all. We are all children of God.