Hope Now: 27 Days to Peace, Healing, and Justiceਨਮੂਨਾ

Justice seeking and personal ethics

If seeking the kingdom of God and the justice of God should be my highest priority, how should I live this question out? What does this look like in everyday life?

Perhaps reframing Matthew 6:33 and leaving out the kingdom for just a moment may help bring this priority into focus. Jesus said, “Seek first … his righteousness [the justice of God], and all these things will be given to you as well" (Matthew 6:33 NIV). What does this mean? How do we do this?

Ethics for the Christian is unique and apart from secular ethics. The field of Christian ethics didn’t appear until 300 years after Jesus’ death. The context and background for ethical behavior in relation to others, especially mistreated individuals, can be found in the teachings of Moses in Deuteronomy.

Deuteronomy means second law and is also called “the book of teaching.” The whole book of Deuteronomy deals primarily with matters of belief and attitude.

In Deuteronomy, Moses is speaking to the children of slaves. His audience represents the next generation poised to move into the land they learned about as children. Keep in mind, Moses led a whole generation of slaves out of Egypt, across the Red Sea and into the desert, where he gave them the Law. Now he pauses prior to crossing the Jordan River as the next generation prepares to cross into prosperity and blessing.

For his last words, Moses reiterates the teaching of the law through a series of sermons, speeches and homilies. Moses chose to address issues of slavery, prosperity and justice for those who would inherit the Promised Land.

Many of us have suffered some type of pain, mistreatment, injustice and maybe even abuse. We’ve suffered both insult and injury. Moses’ words remind us today that a call to justice means taking the pain of our past to bless others in the future.

The truth is that we find our own healing when we prevent the abuse and injustice intended for others. Jesus said, “Heal the sick who are there and tell them the kingdom of God is near.” Our task today is no different.

We’re sent out into the harvest field of humanity, into tough situations where people need hope. We offer them peace, healing and justice because the kingdom has come near.

Questions for Reflection:

• If the kingdom is near you, how should justice become a reality?
• How does justice materialize when the kingdom comes near?