How Jesus became a refugee?
By Hope
@1hopefulman (45123)
Canada
December 17, 2016 10:17am CST
What is a refugee?
A refugee is a person who flees to a foreign country to escape danger or persecution. In these days, tens of thousands have had to flee their homeland because of wars and other atrocities or disasters.
Were you aware that Jesus was a refugee? When? What happened?
In Matthew chapter two we can read the details.
In brief: astrologers came to Jerusalem guided by a star, seeking the new-born king of the Jews. Herod, who was the king of the Jews became disturbed at this and plotted to kill this new king of the Jews.
To foil this plot, an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream and told him to flee with his family to Egypt. This they did and stayed there till Herod died and then returned to Israel.
Yes, God's son, Jesus Christ and our Lord and Saviour was a refugee!
Nobody likes to flee for their lives but have no choice. So, it always appreciated when other countries accept refugees and help them to survive.
While I did not flee for my life, my family left one country to seek a better opportunity in another country. I am grateful that we were able to do this and that we were given the opportunity.
It is always appreciated when kindness is shown to grateful foreigners in their new land.
Any experiences with refugees or immigrants?
9 people like this
8 responses
@just4him (305532)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
17 Dec 16
@1hopefulman Yes, and from what King Herod ordered - all male children two years and younger killed because of the time when the star first appeared, I believe Jesus was two years old. The star was prophesied in the Old Testament, which is how the wise men knew a new King was born. Numbers 24:17.
3 people like this
@1hopefulman (45123)
• Canada
18 Dec 16
@just4him Yes, if the astrologers had come when Jesus was born, Herod would have ordered all new-born to be killed but because he ordered every male 2 years and younger suggests that the astrologers showed up some months after Jesus was born.
I looked at Numbers 24:17 and at first glance it doesn't look like a reference to the "star" that guided the astrologers. Could you look at it a bit closer and share your reasoning for such a conclusion?
2 people like this
@1hopefulman (45123)
• Canada
18 Dec 16
@just4him Please explain Matthew 2:9 King James Version (KJV) 9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.
How does this verse fit in with your reasoning that the astrologers were students of the Scriptures? If they were able to understand that Jesus was the "star" in Numbers 24:17. How did they fail to understand and even simpler scripture such as Micah 5:2 that Jesus would be born in Bethlehem of Judea?
There was a physical "star" that deliberately misled them to Herod and the result was that many innocent children were killed.
1 person likes this
@andriaperry (116860)
• Anniston, Alabama
17 Dec 16
No I have not. But I try to be kind to ALL people.
3 people like this
@buenavida (9985)
• Sweden
17 Dec 16
Yes, Jesus was saved, because an angel warned his parents, who took him to Egypt. The "star" was an attempt from the Devil to kill Jesus, as he tried to use the astrologers, who were not servants of the true God, but were watching for stars to see the future, which was forbidden in God's law.
2 people like this
@1hopefulman (45123)
• Canada
18 Dec 16
Very interesting and valid points. Thank you for sharing them with us! 
If the "star" had been used by God, it would have no reason to lead them first to Jerusalem so that the astrologers had to ask for Jesus' location. God would have known exactly where Jesus was and would have led them directly there.
If the "star" had been used by God, it would have no reason to lead them first to Jerusalem so that the astrologers had to ask for Jesus' location. God would have known exactly where Jesus was and would have led them directly there.2 people like this
@1hopefulman (45123)
• Canada
19 Dec 16
Yes, it was another country. However, was it a foreign power? Or did the Roman empire extent into Egypt which made it easier to seek asylum there?
@Bluedoll (16774)
• Canada
19 Dec 16
@1hopefulman Yes you are right too on this I think. 
1 person likes this
@1hopefulman (45123)
• Canada
18 Dec 16
Like they say, now that you have seen the movie, read the book as the book is better.
2 people like this
@IreneVincent (15962)
• United States
18 Dec 16
Good article. I'm sure that many people probably didn't realize that Jesus and his earthly family were refugees at one time in history.
2 people like this
@1hopefulman (45123)
• Canada
18 Dec 16
Thank you! Jesus can really understand many of the things we go through and can plead for us before the Father. (Hebrews 4:14-16)
1 person likes this
@flapiz (22402)
• United Kingdom
20 Dec 16
Wow this article reminds me of the song, "One of Us" by Joan Osborne. We must be kind to everyone as in our midst God might be there in disguise.
I am an immigrant. And I too experience the greatness and kindness of foreigners. That I am grateful for.
1 person likes this
@1hopefulman (45123)
• Canada
20 Dec 16
Nice song! And you know, even if Jesus is not in our midst physically, he is in our midst in spirit, also angels can be, and for sure God is aware of everything we do and think. How we treat each other matter to him and He will hold us accountable.
Notice what Jesus said:
Matthew 25:45 New Living Translation (NLT) 45 “And he will answer, ‘I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.’
1 person likes this
@flapiz (22402)
• United Kingdom
21 Dec 16
@1hopefulman Indeed. We should keep this in mind always and be always kind towards our fellow being. We can never go wrong with kindness after all.
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