Loving the Stranger

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 (NIV)

How do you treat people who are new or different? Leviticus 19:34 calls us to love and welcome strangers, treating them as we would our own family. This instruction wasn’t just for the Israelites; it’s a timeless reminder of God’s heart for inclusion and compassion. The Israelites knew what it was like to be foreigners in Egypt, and God commanded them to extend kindness and understanding to others. Likewise, God asks us to remember our own experiences and show love to those who might feel out of place or excluded.

Strangers come in many forms. They could be the new neighbour down the street, the coworker who doesn’t share your background, or someone from a different culture sitting in your church. Welcoming them requires intentionality—inviting them into conversations, offering help, and making them feel valued. Think about a time when you felt like an outsider. How did it feel when someone reached out to you? That simple gesture can leave a lasting impact and show the love of Christ in action.

Loving the stranger is not always easy. It may stretch us out of our comfort zones or challenge our assumptions. But as followers of Christ, we are called to reflect God’s love in how we treat others. When we welcome strangers, we mirror the heart of God, who welcomes us into His family despite our differences and flaws. It’s a way of living out the gospel—extending the grace and kindness we have received.

As we open our hearts to strangers, we grow in empathy and deepen our understanding of God’s love. He doesn’t see people as “others” or “outsiders”—He sees everyone as His creation, deserving of love and care. Let’s strive to treat strangers with the same warmth and compassion we’d show to our closest loved ones. In doing so, we become vessels of His love, creating spaces where everyone can experience His goodness.

Prayer:
Lord, thank you for welcoming me into your family and loving me unconditionally. Help me to see strangers through your eyes and treat them with kindness and compassion. Teach me to love as you love, creating a space where everyone feels valued and cared for. Use me to reflect your heart in how I welcome and serve others. Amen.