DAY 19: Jesus Is Justice

By Paul Hughes (Ignite Campus Ministries in Birmingham)

“I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”
— Luke 18:8 (NIV)

We live in a cultural moment where cries for justice from human institutions have come to the forefront. Justice is a cry in every generation. In Luke 18:1-8, Jesus tells a parable about a judge who doesn’t fear God or even care about a widow pleading for a just verdict. While the widow's persistence succeeds in getting the judge to act on her behalf, this is not a story about the effectiveness of pressuring politicians. This is a story about the effectiveness of enduring prayer to the Judge of all the Earth who is zealous for justice in every case: “And will not God bring about justice for His chosen ones, who cry out to Him day and night?” (Luke 18:7)

For 2,000 years, the multi-ethnic Church has been laboring in night and day prayer for the justice and righteousness of God’s Kingdom to be expressed in the earth. Whether for the abolition of slavery, human trafficking, or the impacts of racism, the people of God cry out for the God of Justice to act decisively.

But as with most parables Jesus told, this one reveals something we can only understand fully in the context of His return. As important as seeing justice done in our day may be, all true justice is rooted in a right understanding and trust in the leadership of Jesus. All human measures of justice fall short. But one day, Jesus, our coming Bridegroom King, and Judge, will make everything right.

PRAYER POINTS:

• “Father, thank you that embedded in every cry for justice is a cry for Jesus, the Just Judge of all Creation, to return. He is the One who suffered that greatest injustice of all. Never had a man so innocent been executed by a people so guilty. Thank you that, out of His forgiveness, we are not given the guilty verdict we deserve, but we receive grace to love mercy, do justice, and walk humbly with You as Our Father. Amen.”