Justice Jesus Style

Matthew 12:18-21

18"Here is my servant whom I have chosen,
the one I love, in whom I delight;
I will put my Spirit on him,
and he will proclaim justice to the nations.
19He will not quarrel or cry out;
no one will hear his voice in the streets.
20A bruised reed he will not break,
and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out,
till he leads justice to victory.
21In his name the nations will put their hope.

This is a prophecy regarding the Messiah found in Isaiah 42:1-4. I find it an amazing insight into what I have been calling "Justice Jesus Style". We have such distorted views of justice. Our idea of our justice has been influenced by movies (Dirty Harry in my day – Die Hard 2, Die Hard With a Vengeance, Live Free or Die Hard, Rambo 1 to 25). Anyway, you get the idea – the application of justice against injustice is brutal, without mercy and usually involves dynamite, big guns and exploding helicopters. The social justice examples we have usually involve people picketing, yelling and demanding of their rights. Whereas the picture we find of Justice Jesus style is significantly different. As you read through Matt 12: 18-21 what strikes you as peculiar? For me it's not so much that Jesus has come to proclaim justice to the nations, but in how that justice is delivered. Notice verses 19 and 20 "He will not quarrel or cry out; no one will hear his voice in the streets. A bruised reed he will not break off, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out, till he leads justice to victory. I am taken aback at the extreme gentleness of God's approach. Perhaps many would view this as weak and ineffective. What is needed is a Steven Segal, or a Vin Diesel who will break a few bones in order to finally get justice to be ushered in. Recently in some of the accounts where I have heard of terrible injustices that are committed against the unborn and infant exceptional needs children, I would prefer a Steven Segal approach – in North America and the world. Yet, violence and anger only begets violence and anger. The Jesus way is not weak and ineffective – in fact, the opposite is true. To do justice Jesus style requires strength from the Infinite. It requires that we 'be' people of justice, and not just 'do'. What restraint must Jesus employ! He sees the Global injustice, not just at this moment, but throughout time. He has all the power of Heaven itself at His command. A stick of dynamite, a magnum 45, or an atomic bomb has nothing on devastating power as compared to one spoken Word from the Lord of Lords. Yet, He does not quarrel or cry out, even when that injustice takes Him, God's Son, to the Cross. We must discover the great power and effectiveness available to us in the gentleness of God, whether in our personal conflicts, or as we join in advocacy for the 'least of these' throughout the world. The way we are called to fight injustice is to come along side, to walk and live with the oppressed, the broken, and the imprisoned. We are to be demonstrating to them the "Year of the Lord's favour" that is upon them (Luke 4:18-21), to bring the gentleness, mercy, compassion, and grace of Christ. Truly this is Good News. As this prophecy, presented hundred's of years before Christ's coming was given concerning Him, I also believe that Christ would speak this same Prophetic Word over us, over you. Listen to these Words that I believe Jesus is speaking to you and I today:

18"Here is my servant (Insert your name) whom I have chosen,
the one I love, in whom I delight;
I will put my Spirit on you,
and you will proclaim justice to the nations.
19You will not quarrel or cry out;
no one will hear your voice in the streets.
20A bruised reed you will not break,
and a smoldering wick you will not snuff out,
till he with you leads justice to victory.
21In his name the nations will put their hope."

Anyway, I was just thinking.

Neil