One of the deepest desires of human beings is for justice. We long for our lives and the world to be impartially guided by what is just, right, true, and fair. At our jobs or in our classrooms, in the courtroom or the sports field, we want all people treated well and measured equally against a dispassionate measure of fairness. This longing for justice is behind the outcries that arise when human rights are violated. International watchdog groups give voice to the helpless or the ignored so that justice can be upheld. The truth is that we long for justice even as we often experience injustice and a lack of fairness in our world and lives.
This longing for justice is a biblical theme. If we read through the Scripture asking what it tells us about God, we inevitably will discover that the God described in the Bible, amongst many other things, is a God of justice. The Torah calls God’s people to maintain justice and deal appropriately with wrongs: protecting widows, orphans, foreigners, and the weak in the face of a difficult world. The Hebrew word, mishpat, is the word most often translated as ‘justice’ in the Old Testament. It conveys the idea of a just cause being maintained with right and appropriate order in the world.
When the prophet Isaiah speaks about the Messiah who is to come, we hear Isaiah say this Messiah will do many things, including reflecting God’s justice. Isaiah describes the Messiah this way:
Here is my servant, whom I uphold,
my chosen one in whom I delight;
I will put my Spirit on him,
and he will bring justice to the nations. (Isaiah 42:1)
It is no coincidence that when Jesus begins His public ministry, He describes His calling by quoting a similar passage from Isaiah’s prophecies:
The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to set the oppressed free,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor. (Luke 4:18-19; quoting Is. 61:1-2)
In response to humanity’s longing for justice God sends Jesus as a Messiah who brings justice.
For reflection:
Each Sunday we include discussion questions on the sermon insert that can be used for deeper reflection and/or small group discussions. Take time to read through those questions today. You can find a digital version online at eastbrook.org/WhoIsHe.
by Pastor Matt Erickson
Week 3 Family Talk
Have you ever taken a really close-up look at a spider web? Before you wipe it away from the corner of your closet, that is? “Spider silk” looks so delicate, but did you know that it is one of the strongest substances on earth? Spider silk has been proven to be twice as strong as steel fiber of the same mass! Part of the reason for this is that spider silk is soft and stretchy when first pulled, but then it stiffens and gets stronger the longer it’s pulled! This is how spiders trap other little bugs (their dinner!) in their webs!
Some things really can be both gentle and strong at the same time—and that’s what Isaiah is telling people about the coming Servant, Jesus! In these verses, Isaiah says:
“He will not shout or cry out.
He will not raise his voice in the streets.
He will not break a bent twig.
He will not put out a dimly burning flame.” (Isaiah 42:2-3, NIrV)
These words describe just how gentle Jesus is—not even breaking an already bent twig! Not even blowing out a tiny flame! When we are struggling and sad, Jesus will understand and love us. When we come to Him asking for forgiveness for the wrongs we’ve done, He will take us back again.
But, kind of like spider silk, Jesus is also the strongest force in the world! Isaiah goes on to say:
“He will not grow weak or lose hope.
He will not give up until he brings justice to the earth.” (Isaiah 42:4, NIrV)
Jesus came to earth to carry out His Father’s plans, and the Father’s plans win every time! Jesus, as the Servant-Rescuer, paid for sin when He died at the Cross. This is justice for those of us who trust Him. One day, He will bring justice to the whole world. He will make everything right again. And, there is no force on earth strong enough to stop Him!
Let’s Talk!
- When have you experienced Jesus being gentle with you?
- When have you seen Jesus being strong?
- Why is it good to know that, when so many things in the world seem to be going wrong, Jesus promises to bring justice?
by Pastor Laure Herlinger
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