Micah Bazant

Refugees are welcome here , 2015, Poster, Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP) Artist Council; ©️ Micah Bazant

Hosting Angels

Commentary by Harry O. Maier

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Read by Ben Quash

Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it. (Hebrews 13:2 NRSV)

Hebrews commands its audience to remember the imprisoned and tortured as though they themselves were in prison and suffering torture (v.3). At the end of 2020 there were 82.4 million forcibly displaced people, double the number in 2010; 24.6 million of them were refugees (6.7 million from Syria), many of them fleeing persecution and torture (UNHCR 2020).

In 2015, Jewish trans artist Micah Bazant worked with Jewish Voice for Peace to create these posters combating Islamophobia and anti-immigrant racism. In ‘Refugees Are Welcome Here’ (one of several similar images), the poster sets against a blue background a black and white image of a bearded man with deep worry lines, holding in his coat his little daughter with a head covering. The eyes of the man and child stare at the viewer in anticipation. Will we welcome them? If we do, we will not remain the same.

The word ‘angel’ is a cognate of the Greek word angellos which means messenger. What messages do such strangers bring when we welcome them? How do they teach us to see the world and ourselves? What conversations unfold when we talk with those who have suffered violence and deprivation? How does God address us through their testimony? To what future and commitments do they call us? As they make their memories present to us, we re-member—literally reassemble—and join in solidarity with them in their trauma.

Hebrews addressed an audience living at a time when persecution under Nero and suppression of the Jewish revolt in Roman Palestine were fresh memories or active events. Even as it exhorted listeners to hospitality, they hardly needed a reminder that they too were strangers to their surrounding civil order (13:14). Perhaps in welcoming one another they were being called upon to be messengers to one another of God’s presence with them; that whatever else might change amidst their collective fortunes, God’s promise to them would not, for ‘Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever’ (13:8 NRSV).

 

References

UNHCR. 2021.  Global Trends in Forced Displacement 2020 (Copenhagen: UNHCR Statistics and Demographics Section)

See full exhibition for Hebrews 13:1–25

Hebrews 13:1–25

Revised Standard Version

13Let brotherly love continue. 2Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. 3Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them; and those who are ill-treated, since you also are in the body. 4Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled; for God will judge the immoral and adulterous. 5Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have; for he has said, “I will never fail you nor forsake you.” 6Hence we can confidently say,

“The Lord is my helper,
I will not be afraid;
what can man do to me?”

7 Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God; consider the outcome of their life, and imitate their faith. 8Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and for ever. 9Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings; for it is well that the heart be strengthened by grace, not by foods, which have not benefited their adherents. 10We have an altar from which those who serve the tent have no right to eat. 11For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest as a sacrifice for sin are burned outside the camp. 12So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood. 13Therefore let us go forth to him outside the camp, and bear the abuse he endured. 14For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city which is to come. 15Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. 16Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.

17 Obey your leaders and submit to them; for they are keeping watch over your souls, as men who will have to give account. Let them do this joyfully, and not sadly, for that would be of no advantage to you.

18 Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honorably in all things. 19I urge you the more earnestly to do this in order that I may be restored to you the sooner.

20 Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, 21equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in you that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

22 I appeal to you, brethren, bear with my word of exhortation, for I have written to you briefly. 23You should understand that our brother Timothy has been released, with whom I shall see you if he comes soon. 24Greet all your leaders and all the saints. Those who come from Italy send you greetings. 25Grace be with all of you. Amen.

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