Justice, not Just Us

“It’s not fair, mommy!  If she gets to have a cookie, then I should get to have one too!”

Some of us have this idea of justice.  Fighting for my rights, to get what I deserve, to get what others have.

If this was Jesus’ idea of justice, this almighty God would not have been born as a fragile baby to a poor teen mom.  If this was Jesus’ idea of justice, this perfectly sinless, all powerful Lord of heaven and earth would not have subjected himself to a criminal’s death on the cross for our sake.  If this was Jesus’ idea of justice, we would all be seriously screwed, literally damned to hell.

God’s justice is about making things right - restoring the world to his shalom.  It’s about right relationships, advocating for the vulnerable, rescuing the oppressed, preventing injustice (Proverbs 31:8-9, Jeremiah 22:3, Psalm 146:7-9).  It’s about recognizing and honouring the inherent sacredness of his image-bearers - regardless of race, gender, ability, appearance, socio-economic status…

Through the strange justice of Jesus - we received the rights of God’s children.  We are clothed in a righteousness we don’t deserve. He fought and won for us the battle against sin and death.

Given such undeserved freedom and privilege - what is our response?

The prophets wrote at a time in Israel’s history in which God’s people had forgotten what he had done to make things right - to win their freedom and privilege.  They had been slaves under the harsh rule of oppressors, and now had a kingdom of their own - meant to be a beacon of God’s shalom in the world.

Sadly, while continuing to perform the rituals of worship, God’s people had no understanding of real worship.  They put yokes of oppression on their own people, enslaved foreigners, neglected widows and orphans.

And so Amos 5:21-24 says,

I hate, I despise your religious festivals;
your assemblies are a stench to me.
Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings,
I will not accept them.
Though you bring choice fellowship offerings,
I will have no regard for them.
Away with the noise of your songs!
I will not listen to the music of your harps.
But let justice roll on like a river,
righteousness like a never-failing stream!

Is this the same with us?  Have we watered worship down to festivals and fellowship, offerings and singing?  These are good things, but ultimately empty, even despicable to God, without justice.

Romans 12:1 says, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.”  We are to act justly, love mercy, walk humbly with our God (Micah 6:8).

Justice is a refocusing from “just us” to seeing all “others” as God’s beloved who bear his image.  From selfish rights to God’s righteousness for another’s sake.  From what I deserve, to how I can serve.  From getting more, to giving - and giving of ourselves - more.

What are the ways you are living justly and promoting justice today?

Who is God giving you his heart for today?

“Lord - I don’t deserve this cookie.  How do I share this gift with my brother or sister in need?”

Karen Schaffer is the Pastor of Faith Formation at The Tapestry Richmond
Photo by Matt Popovich