Thursday Thoughts: Jesus and Justice

He will not grow faint or be crushed
until he has established justice in the earth
-Isaiah 42:4

In chapter 12 of his Gospel, Matthew uses Isaiah 42 to describe Jesus. This morning as I read Matthew 12, I was greatly encouraged. Quoting Isaiah 42, Jesus is the servant, loved and upheld, chosen, in whom God’s soul delights. The Spirit rests upon him and he will bring forth justice to the nations. He will not cry or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street. A bruised reed he will not break, and a dimly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice.

I am encouraged because even though the injustice I see discourages me, it does not discourage Jesus.

I grow faint in the face of injustice. Jesus does not.

And despite our own discouragement or faintness, Jesus calls us to join him in seeking justice:

Learn to do good;
seek justice
rescue the oppressed,
defend the orphan,
plead for the widow.
-Isaiah 1:17

Without Jesus’ tireless fight for justice, I would look at Isaiah 1:17 and think, “That’s impossible.” But with it, I look at Isaiah 1:17 and think, “If Jesus is tirelessly at work in this, where can I plug in? I know I’m limited, but how can I contribute?”

Injustice comes in many forms. We too often see violence, from wars to domestic to sexual violence. We too often see corruption, from financial and economic to governmental and relational. We too often see neglect. We too often see oppression and poverty. We too often see darkness and sin.

Jesus promised a day when he will return. That day will be a day of justice. Until that day comes, let’s seek ways to “learn to do good; seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, and plead for the widow” even in the small, limited ways we can. Jesus does not grow faint in the face of injustice. I hope that fact encourages you today as much as it encouraged me.