Jazz @ Emmanuel – Kindness to Strangers, February 8, 2026
There seems to be a lot of confusion today as to what it means to be a Christian or a “Christian nation.” Is a Christian someone who reads the Bible and prays? Goes to church regularly? Wears a cross?
Is a Christian nation one whose citizens all profess to be Christians? A nation that does not tolerate folks who are gay or trans? Is it one that bans abortion? Oppresses people because of race?
There are many who would say yes to all of these. They can have their opinions and live how they think best. BUT — what does the Bible actually say?
There are many references in the Bible letting us know how to behave in a way that honors God, honors the sacredness of our fellow humans, as well as creation, and honors our own integrity. Wearing a cross is not one of them.
“if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink;” ~ Romans 12:20
“You that are accursed, depart from me into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; 42 for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.” 44 Then they also will answer, “Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not take care of you?” 45 Then he will answer them, “Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.” 46 And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.'” ~Matthew 25:41-46
33 “‘When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. 34 The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the Lord your God.” ~Leviticus 19:34-35
2 ” Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.” ~Hebrews 13:2
10 ” do not oppress the widow, the orphan, the alien, or the poor; and do not devise evil in your hearts against one another.” Zechariah 7:10
That is pretty darn clear. Yet we all have a choice.
February 8th Jazz @ Emmanuel invites us to ponder more deeply our commitment to (or not) “Kindness to Strangers.”
Join us along with the Tom Wendt Ensemble
Jazz @ Emmnuel
2nd Sunday
September through May
5:00 PM in the Sanctuary.
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