"Alien Assistance"
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One of my favorite movies growing up was about a strange little alien stranded on earth. After meeting some young kids, the extra-terrestrial plays dress-up, eats candy, rides bikes, and eventually phones his parents to pick him up. But he never could have returned home without his newfound friends.
As believers, we’re also called to help the strangers among us. So, what can we do to offer our assistance to those we don’t know?
Warm and Welcoming
“But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him” (Luke 10:33–34).
The Samaritan showed mercy, even though he knew nothing about the beaten-down man. We’re the peacemakers — the meek, merciful, and poor in spirit (Matt. 5:2-12). And Jesus promises to bless us when we show our concern for each other. Even in the smallest of interactions with strangers, do they see a glimpse of the fruit of God’s Spirit within you (Gal. 5:22-23), or is the encounter cold, callous, and uncaring?
Liberal Lending
“ But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful” (Luke 6:35-36).
We’re called to go the “extra mile” (Matt. 5:41) — above and beyond what’s expected of us. We follow Jesus’ call to “give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back” (Luke 6:30). We share our possessions with strangers and those who hate us — not just with friends and family. Like the children of Israel, we reserve the corners of our fields “ ... for the poor and for the sojourner” (Lev. 19:9-10).
Listening and Leading
“When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd” (Matt. 9:36).
Our compassion towards the stranger leads us to empathy and action. Like Jesus, we see their most significant need for salvation, and we “pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest” (Matt. 9:38). We see their helpless condition and connect with them, leading them to the light of Christ’s love. And while we do what we can to help them physically, the bulk of our efforts are spent on supplying them spiritually.
So may God open our eyes to the needs of the stranger — to step in and help by showing mercy, supplying their needs, and leading them to the Lord!
