John 7:37-53 - The Wisdom of the Crowd

        There is a distinct difference in how Jesus looks at the crowds compared to how the so-called Jewish leaders looked at the crowds.  First, hear from the religious leaders.  They said, “‘Have you been led astray, too?’ the Pharisees mocked. ‘Is there one of us rulers or Pharisees who believes in him?  This foolish crowd follows him, but they are ignorant of the law.  God’s curse is on them!’” (John 7:47-49).  And compare that with what Jesus said.  “Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds ‘Anyone thirsty may come to me!  Anyone who believes in me may come and drink!  For the scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’” (7:37-38).

        The Pharisees hated the crowds, but Jesus loved them—so much so that He died to pay the penalty for their sins and offered the gift of living water (eternal life) for anyone who would believe in Him.

        How about us?  Are we more like the legalists, the religious hypocrites, or more like Jesus?  I know it is not directly on point, but I’d like to discuss the US immigration debate raging across America this week.  I think there is a spiritual element to it - as there are all things and Christians need to think biblically about these things.  It’s an area close to my heart and where I admit bias.  

        Populism gets a bad rap.  Sometimes rightly so.  But consider in this passage that Jesus confirms that the crowds were indeed not ignorant, in fact, they believed when the so-called experts were themselves blind and ignorant.  The media, church leaders, academics, and politicians are often quick to look down their noses at the crowds and to remind us how foolish we are.  Don’t get me wrong, I hate mobs.  I think they are dangerous, obnoxious, and an instrument of evil.  But Mr. Market is rarely wrong.  The true test of value is what the market says.  Similarly, there can be wisdom in the collective assessment of the people.  I pray that we get the policy right.  A lot depends on it.

        This week we saw the mobs at work on social media in the immigration debate.  It’s interesting, in two different discussions this week I had Americans make comments to me personally about a Canadian being in the USA.  One asserted that I had taken a job from an American and didn’t deserve to be in the USA.  The second was a little more subtle, but implied that as Canadians who used the legal H1B process my family and I should not be here.  My wife and I have invested in the USA for 14 years.  We've emigrated to the USA legally at a significant cost.  All five of our kids went to university in the USA (and we paid the full price with no financial aid and no student loans - with after-tax Canadian currency mind you).  We moved to rural Virginia because we wanted to be in the USA and I wanted to live and work in the USA.  It is truly a blessing to live here near our kids and grandkids.   Believe it or not, not many experienced securities lawyers are willing to move to rural Virginia to work for a non-profit.  But I digress.

        I’m happy Americans are having a discussion about immigration policy.  Frankly, it is long overdue.  Thank God for President Trump and Elon Musk and others who have a reasoned approach for it will have significant benefits not just for US policy but for immigration and trade policy worldwide.  The open border mass migration scam has caused considerable damage that won't easily be undone.

        What I saw this week in the great H1B debate on X (I admit I threw a few comments in as well) was a lot of people talking past each other.  The debate is far from over, but it's a needed discussion and a good start.  What I did not like was the mob mentality of some commentators - piling on with nasty comments and making straw man arguments - some openly fuming with hate and disdain for other nations (and other Americans).  

        If you’ve read my blog posts you’ll know I’m a Canadian finance and oil and gas attorney with over 25 years experience.  I’m also a former hockey player.  I’ve worn the Maple Leaf in international competitions - proudly.  Yet I also fly the Stars and Strips off of my home for I love the USA.  I’m a permanent resident of the USA - it cost me a lot to get that Green Card to live in a country that I deeply respect and honor, nay, love.

        As arguments were flying this week on X I was disappointed in the vitriol.  And I suppose a little shocked by the division (division on our side - the conservative side).  Elon Musk and DJT consistently have been for ending illegal immigration and deporting the millions of illegal migrants that are in the USA.  So too am I.  In fact, I don’t know any conservative that supports mass immigration - illegal or otherwise - despite the blatant straw man arguments thrown against Elon and Vivek this week.

        Yet Elon, an immigrant himself, and DJT, who’s had children from two immigrant wives, are and always have been for legal immigration to the USA.  As a former H1B visa holder (now Green Card) my view is similar.  It is an immeasurable strength to be the land of opportunity and freedom.  With that comes ingenuity, growth, and a Christian kingdom-building mindset.  Every sovereign nation has the right to determine its border policy, immigration policy, and trade policy.  Of course, we can shut our trade down completely and likewise immigration.  But we ought to strive for the wisest policy.

        I suggest that there is a rising tide when we welcome investors and immigrants who bring skill and experience (and my view is not just in tech jobs but in any good trade).  Of course, they must pass criminal background checks, be willing to move to the USA to invest and contribute here, and they must come willing to share the values and founding freedoms and principles that the Founders enshrined and that our ancestors exemplified.

        Canada and the US are not enemies and I think we need to quickly figure out how to strengthen not weaken our relationship.  We are like family.  We need to focus on each other's strengths.  I actually have American ancestors on my mom’s side (my Mom's grandma was born and raised in Butler Pennsylvania) and my dad’s side came to Canada from Scotland via the USA.  On my wife's side, she too has US ancestors on her mom's and her dad's sides.  In fact, her Dad's grandpa fought for the Union from the start to the end of the Civil War).  We raised our kids in Calgary, Alberta.  At one point Calgary had over 80,000 US expats working in the oil and gas industry there.  The ties are deep.  We need to build on them and neither Canadian nor American should disdain the other.  Yes, we have policy issues (I'll admit I left Canada over bad policy there).  But I suggest it is time for building.

        Of course, I believe that immigration policy needs to be smart.  Of course, we need to limit or stop immigration from bad countries.  However, an immigration policy that sees the value in people and one that is efficient will bring tremendous investment and benefit to the USA.

        My son Samuel (who has a business administration degree and a master's in strategic communications - both from a private American University -  and who may have to leave the US in May 2025 when his F1 OPT Visa expires) gave me a good perspective on this issue this week.  In our discussions about the raging X debate, Sam gave me a good perspective on the MAGA side that wants no more immigration and no foreigners taking US jobs.  Sam helped me to understand those that see foreigners in a negative light and that feel threatened not just economically, but also see a real threat to their values.  We can learn a lot from each other.  We can learn a lot just by listening to each other's views.

        Sam and I share the view that the USA (and all Western countries) would be wise to severely limit immigration from countries where their values are antithetical to the US founding principles of respect for the rule of law, and the God-given freedoms enshrined in the US Constitution (and so far upheld by SCOTUS).

        Oh, the irony of a 29-year-old Canadian (who worked pipeline construction in Canada to pay for his US education and took out not a dollar of student loans) arguing for a principled value-based limitation on immigration to the US to protect American jobs and values.  My view is that it is people like Samuel who prove Elon and DJT’s point that good, hard-working, smart, people of character like Sam are a central ingredient to MAGA.  Yet many potential US employers won't hire people like Samuel simply because he is a foreigner.  That’s their right.  And while I think they are missing out I respect their right to hire whoever they want.

        I see spiritual aspects of this debate.  Good policy requires wisdom.  There are cultures that the US should not trade with.  Not until they respect and reciprocate our original founding values.  If countries do not share the US Constitutional values then I don’t believe we should be friends with them (i.e., no immigration from those countries, no mutual investment, and no trade).  But the USA must make it a priority to be a good friend.  And we must work hard at building friendships and showing how we exemplify Christian character.  Such a character is known for its love and unity and service of others.  Good friends will trade well with each other.  Invest well with each other and treat the other’s citizens well.  Mutual respect.

        I believe that building good strong relationships with other nations is America First.  I believe Trump gets this and we saw that with his leadership on this issue this week.  There will be no winning if we do not have good friends and excellent trading partners - fair, free, and open competition.  If countries don’t respect the US we will not trade with them.  And likewise, the US needs to be the neighbor that we want others to be.

        So that’s a mumbled blog on John 7, but so be it.  By God’s grace, the USA will succeed.  Same for Canada.

        Dear Jesus, I pray that America is the shining example of what You want her to be.  And I pray that You grant us understanding so that we may know Your wisdom (individually and as a nation) and so that we may come to You for living water.  Amen.

Helping our daughter move into her new home in Lynchburg, VA this week.