In Old Testament Scripture, God often reminded his people that they were once foreigners in a strange land. Though he set Israel aside as his chosen people, God never intended for Jews to believe that their national identity made them better than anyone else he created. All of humankind is made in God’s image and is entitled to dignity and care. Thus, God commanded Israel to love and take care of the sojourners among them.

Jesus confirmed that this principle applies to his followers today.  In the parable of the Good Samaritan,  Jesus used the racial tension between Israel and Samaria to illustrate that everyone, regardless of race or nationality, is our neighbor. We are to love our neighbors as we love ourselves, and especially when they are living among us.

People who would be considered 'sojourners' include refugees (people who fled the country of their nationality who are unable to return because of well-founded fear of persecution because of race, religion, nationality, or politics), immigrants (people who left the country of their nationality in order to establish a permanent life here - often out of a desire to seek better economic opportunities, freedom, or safety), and aliens (people who left the country of their nationality to visit our nation temporarily - such as tourists, exchange students, or people conducting business).