What exactly is injustice?
It dawned on me after my sermon on Sunday proclaiming that sometimes lines need to be crossed and rules need to be broken based on Jesus’ proclamation that human need is greater that any set of laws, guidelines or religious practice, that maybe we don’t really understand how to define injustice.
The Bible is full of proclamations about injustice and justice. There are at least three Proverbs clearly against injustice. My favorite is Proverbs 22:8 Whoever sows injustice will reap calamity, and the rod of anger will fail. The prophets speak against injustice constantly culminating in Amos 5:24 But let justice roll down like water and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.
Let’s begin with a simple definition. What does the dictionary say that injustice is? Miriam Webster says this “absence of justice : violation of right or of the rights of another : unfairness. 2. : an unjust act : wrong.” Another way to think of this is to ask if one group or person is being treated differently than another. But what makes this so hard is that we often disagree on what is fair or how to respond to something that we see as wrong. Sometimes we can not even agree who what is right and wrong. We see this being played out in politics all the time.
So this begs the question, what makes something just? Is it just fairness? This leads to the Hebrew Bible scripture of fairness where justice is equal only. And example of this is an “eye for an eye.” But the problem of this type of justice is that we end up with a lot of people missing eyes and does that really make anything better? In Matthew we hear Jesus speak saying 38“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I say to you: Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also, 40 and if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, give your coat as well, 41 and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile.” We could argue that this statement itself is unfair or unjust. But Jesus clearly is against retribution. He actually calls us to more than the simple understanding of justice and fairness. He is about restorative justice and beloved community. Jesus is defiant in his willingness to be baited by the evildoer. To show a better way. He shows mercy which by it’s own definition is forgiveness that is not deserved. Then he takes it another step further by asking us to give more than just forgiveness. This doesn’t make sense if justice is just about fairness. And maybe that is why we struggle to understand. The law spends a lot of time discussing what is just or unjust. Philosophers love to debate justice and injustice. It is really a fascinating concept about how it plays out in our daily lives.
This following Jesus stuff is hard. As we seek to open ourselves to living by the ways of Jesus, I think instead of asking “Is this just?” we should ask the question “Does this restore community? In the old days, we had a lot of merchandise that had WWJD meaning What Would Jesus Do. I don’t think that this is a bad question to continue to ask as we navigate life together as the people of God who follow the way of Jesus. Jesus says “you have heard, but I say” about a lot of things. He is trying to show a better way than the accepted practices of the community. What could seem as kindness is really very bold. This proclamation that we don’t have to respond the way that we have been taught but that he will teach us a new way is dramatic.
Let us be reminded today that Jesus calls us to more. More than what the world tells us is good enough. More that simple fairness. More than just existing. Jesus offers us a way to live that is transforming and live giving. It is profound and powerful and fueled by hope. May we always remember.
Love,
