Justice Belongs to Jesus

Justice Belongs to Jesus
By: Anna Williams
 
“Then the Pharisees called a meeting to plot how to kill Jesus.
But Jesus knew what they were planning. So he left that area, and many people followed him. He healed all the sick among them, but he warned them not to reveal who he was.
 
This fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah concerning him:
“Look at my Servant, whom I have chosen.
He is my Beloved, who pleases me.
I will put my Spirit upon him,
and he will proclaim justice to the nations.
He will not fight or shout
or raise his voice in public.
He will not crush the weakest reed
or put out a flickering candle.
Finally he will cause justice to be victorious.
And his name will be the hope
of all the world.”
 
Matthew 12:14-21 NLT
 
There are multiple accounts of the religious and political leaders of the day conspiring to harm Jesus and while He circumnavigates them, one is not left with a feeling of fear coming from Jesus. He’s not running from them, but simply choosing not to engage with them at that moment.
 
In the passage above, Matthew is actually quoting a prophecy in Isaiah regarding the coming Messiah. In Isaiah 42:3-4 it expands a little more on that last line by saying “He will bring justice to all who have been wronged. He will not falter or lose heart until justice prevails throughout the earth.”(NLT)
 
Jesus didn’t need to engage them in that moment because he knew that he had been given authority from God to exact true justice. Even if the worldly courts, judges and rulers were against him, he was confident in the promise that he would ultimately have the victory.
 
Many interpret “He will not crush the weakest reed or put out a flickering candle” as a reference to Jesus’ mercy shown towards the victims of injustice; but I wonder if it also might be referring to those meting out the injustice as well. He has no need to crush them or snuff them out because He recognizes that in reality – they are the weak and He is strong. Furthermore, He loves the unjust as well and wants to bring them into reconciliation with Him. (See the conversion of Saul/Paul.)
 
Even when we are right and just in our position, God wants us to seek Him for guidance on how to respond to others who have wronged us. His perspective considers everyone involved in a situation and seeks to bring redemption for all.