Jesus Helps Us Face the Future

25 At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; 26 yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. 27 All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. 28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:25-30

This is a scary time for immigrants in America right now. Anti-immigrant feeling is rising, and even those who have been here legally for years have reason to be afraid. And that’s hard, when you’ve worked as hard as you can for years to build a new life among the people and country you’ve adopted as your own. Now, they wonder: What will the future bring?

In the face of fear and uncertainty, Jesus calls us all to trust in him, whether we are immigrants or people who were born here. We can lay our heavy burdens down at his feet, trusting him to care for us. He understands fear and uncertainty; he spent his whole adult ministry walking toward the cross, knowing that he was going to have to lay down his life to rescue us all from the power of evil. Jesus faced that future out of love for us; and now that he has risen from the dead, he continues to care for us daily, until he comes again at the end of the world. We can rest in his love.

Lord, bless our immigrant neighbors, and help them to find peace and protection in you. Amen.

By Dr. Kari Vo