WORLDLY JUSTICE

Dining with Jesus Christian Episodes

THIS IS TABLE ROCK FELLOWSHIP – PASTOR RYAN LADEN

Worldly Justice

There are many false and corrupted versions of what real justice looks like out in the world. In all of these perversions of true justice we see selfishness and avarice on full display. There is a better way. There is real justice to be found in the message of God’s word for those willing to listen.

In his teaching to his missionaries, disciples, and followers, Jesus Christ began his teaching on how a true missionary should deal with those who persecute the follower of Jesus. Listen this this message in the following passage:

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.”

Matthew 5:38-42 NIV-11

Eye for and Eye

The legal principle referenced by Jesus in verse 38 comes from a section of the Hebrew law that sought to lay down the principles of real justice as defined by the Living God of Israel. This legal principle is known today by its Latin moniker, the Lex Talionis. The original form of this teaching as seen below, speaks to the foundations of real justice.

“‘If anyone takes the life of a human being, he must be put to death. Anyone who takes the life of someone’s animal must make restitution — life for life. If anyone injures his neighbor, whatever he has done must be done to him: fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth. As he has injured the other, so he is to be injured. Whoever kills an animal must make restitution, but whoever kills a man must be put to death. You are to have the same law for the alien and the native-born. I am the LORD your God.’”

Leviticus 24:17-22 NIV-11

Fair and Equal

The Lord called his people to treat human life with ultimate respect. Additionally, the Lord called his people to make sure that all crime against another found a fair and reciprocal punishment. Added to this, everyone in the entire society was to be held to the same standard, even those with no rights, those who were visiting.

This is true justice. A fair and balanced response to the well published laws given by the Lord. Equal accountability for all in the land, no favoritism or exclusion allowed. We would do well to live under such a system of justice.

The Missionary

For the one who trusts in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior and accepts their calling to live their lives as an ambassador or a missionary of the Lord, the Lex Talionis is no longer our primary measure of response to those who bring hardship and trial into our lives because we are united with Christ.

When the missionary is challenged, ridiculed, ignored, cast out, or even attacked because of their association with the Lord, the response of the missionary must not be one of retaliation. The child of God who accepts their calling to be salt and light to a lost and dying world must see that the old, eye for an eye principle will not help us accomplish the mission of sharing the love of Jesus Christ.

Unexpected

Instead of doing what is expected and common according to the dictates of worldly wisdom, we are called by Jesus Christ to do the unexpected.

If we stop and think about it, this makes sense. Jesus Christ did not treat you and I in a way that was just or fair. Instead, he took our penalty, our burden, and he made us whole as an act of unmerited favor or grace.

We are free from hell itself because Jesus did what was unexpected on our behalf. So, it is not strange that we should be called to follow in his footsteps.

Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ,

I thank you for not treating as I deserve.
I was a rebel, an enemy
until you bore my sin and shame.
I was lost and dying before you shared with me
your grace and mercy.
Help me to follow in your footsteps of grace today.

In Christ,

Ryan Laden

OUR MISSION AS A CHURCH

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