Tag: injustice

Injustice

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WHEN WE SEE AND FEEL WHAT IS UNFAIR OR CRUEL

Injustice isn’t a distant headline—it’s a daily reality for pioneer mission workers. This relentless exposure shapes our ministry and personal faith, forcing us to confront hard questions: How can we persevere when injustice prevails? How does our trust in God, the just Judge, sustain us amid pervasive, soul-wearing wrongs like corruption, persecution, and exploitation? These are not exceptions, but part of the cost of serving among the unreached, revealing the spiritual struggle that is central to our calling.

Gracia, a missionary working with marginalized women, discovered a pervasive system of exploitation where young girls from her community were being trafficked to the city under false promises of work. Her heart was shocked by the stories of abuse and bondage. She tried to intervene, to report to local authorities, but found them either complicit or indifferent. The sheer scale and entrenched nature of the injustice, coupled with the paralyzing powerlessness she felt, left her deeply disheartened. She saw the tears of the oppressed with no one to comfort them, and the weight of it threatened to crush her too, making her question if her small efforts could ever make a difference against such systemic evil.

BIBLICAL REFLECTION ON INJUSTICE

Injustice is not merely a social problem but a spiritual reality deeply intertwined with the brokenness of a fallen world. Confronting and responding to injustice is an inherent part of proclaiming the Kingdom of God. A biblical theology of injustice is essential for maintaining hope, acting with wisdom, and persevering in righteousness. 

Injustice is a consequence of sin. Injustice is a direct consequence of sin that twists God’s perfect design for shalom—His vision of holistic peace and flourishing. It’s the violation of His righteous standards in human relationships and systems, leading to oppression, exploitation, and the denial of dignity and rights. On the mission field, we won’t just hear about injustice; we will encounter it head-on (Genesis 3:16-19; Romans 3:23; Ecclesiastes 4:1)

God is utterly just, the ultimate Judge, and He absolutely hates injustice. The Bible consistently portrays Him as supremely righteous and holy. He’s not indifferent to the unfairness and cruelty in our world; in fact, He actively detests it and is profoundly committed to establishing justice. His justice isn’t a separate attribute; it’s a direct expression of His perfect character and His deep love for righteousness. (Psalm 89:14; Deuteronomy 32:4; Psalm 33:5; Isaiah 61:8) 

God sees, hears, and acts on behalf of those facing injustice. “For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who is not partial and takes no bribe, who executes justice for the orphan and the widow, and who loves the strangers, providing them food and clothing.”(Deuteronomy 10:17-18) Scriptures reveal God as attentive to the groans of the afflicted. Not only is God simply aware of injustice, but He is committed to doing something about it. (Exodus 2:23b-25; Psalm 102:19-20; James 5:4) 

God links justice with true worship. God says that the doing of justice is an essential part of genuine worship. In Isaiah 1, God tells His people that their prayers, sacrifices, and festivals are detestable to Him. He tells them to “stop doing wrong; learn to do right. Seek justice, encourage the oppressed, defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow.” (Isaiah 1:16-17)

The Gospel is a story of justice. The gospel tells us that God is just, man sinned (doing an injustice against God), and Jesus redeemed man as a divine act of justice. Jesus faced the ultimate injustice. He was innocent, yet He died as a criminal. He didn’t just bear the sins of humanity; He confronted the cosmic injustice of sin on the cross to reconcile man to God. The gospel isn’t only a message of forgiveness but also of restoration to righteousness. God forgives our injustice to restore us to justice. (Isaiah 1:27; 42:1; Matthew 12:18; Romans 3:23-26; 1 Peter 3:18)

As disciples of Jesus, we aren’t just called to believe that God is just; we’re required to act justly. While ultimate justice rests with God, we’re His agents, actively pursuing justice and righteousness here in the present, building His Kingdom. This means taking a stand against all kinds of evil—not only the spiritual, but the societal as well. Every sin and every injustice stands as an enemy to the church and to God’s Kingdom. (Micah 6:8; Isaiah 1:17; Luke 4:18-19; James 1:27; Matthew 25:34-40)

Think of Jesus’s “inaugural address” in Luke 4. He wasn’t subtle about His top priorities. He came to preach good news to the poor, to restore sight to the blind, and to rescue the oppressed. These aren’t just Jesus’s priorities; they are the non-negotiable priorities of every one of His followers.

Questions and grief are not just acceptable responses to injustice; they are often the most honest and proper ones. Our posture in the face of unfairness should be a blend of raw lament, earnest prayer, righteous action (where we can step in), and unwavering trust in God’s ultimate justice. The prophet Habakkuk’s honest questions and profound dislike of injustice, beautifully captured in his book, show us God’s gracious and powerful responses. Our own reactions to injustice should, likewise, reflect both God’s final, ultimate judgment and His present, pressing call to righteousness and compassion. (Habakkuk 1:2-5, 13)

God will ultimately have the last word and the final judgment. He confronts injustice both definitively through Christ’s perfect work on the cross and progressively through the advance of His Kingdom even today. He will ultimately judge all injustice and bring perfect justice. This truth gives us unwavering hope and confidence: no wrong will go unpunished, and one day, every tear will be wiped away.(Revelation 21:4; Romans 12:19) 

Justice, missions, and the Book of Jonah. The short Old Testament book of Jonah isn’t just a fish story; it’s a profound narrative about a prophet who served as a reluctant missionary to Nineveh, the formidable capital of the ancient Assyrian Empire. This true account vividly shows us how our sovereign God uses even a sinful and imperfect messenger to accomplish His glory and the salvation of the lost, revealing His heart for justice on a global scale.

  • What other Scriptures or biblical aspects come to mind when you consider “injustice”? Take a few moments to look up a few of these verses and journal what the Lord highlights for you.

“Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.” — Isaiah 1:17

THE IMPORTANCE OF TRUSTING GOD AS THE JUST JUDGE

Knowing that God is a just Judge is profoundly important for pioneer missionaries because:

Sustains Hope: In the face of overwhelming injustice that seems to go unpunished, the truth of God’s justice provides an unflinching hope that righteousness will ultimately prevail.

Prevents Bitterness and Despair: Without this truth, missionaries are highly susceptible to cynicism, bitterness, or despair when confronted with persistent, systemic injustice.

Guards Against Vengeance: Knowing God will judge prevents us from taking justice into our own hands in ungodly ways, making more of a mess.

Affirms the Gospel’s Holistic Nature: The gospel is not just about individual salvation but about the restoration of all things, including justice and shalom. 

Motivates Righteous Action: Our pursuit of justice is not a futile human effort but a participation in God’s own character and ongoing gospel work in the world. When we act justly, we show another way:

  • We turn the other cheek. 
  • We give our jackets.
  • We are okay with people being wrong about us.
  • We put off revenge, gossip, and slander.
  • We flip curses into blessings.
  • We seek to forgive.

Missionaries frequently encounter innumerable forms of injustice. Here are some of the most common:

Systemic Corruption: Bribes required for basic services,  dishonesty, fraud, unfair legal systems, red tape, inflated market prices, and exploitation by powerful individuals or groups.

Discrimination and Persecution: Disciples facing discrimination in employment, housing, or education; physical violence, imprisonment, or social ostracization due to their faith in Christ.

Exploitation of Vulnerable Peoples: Human trafficking, child labor, bonded labor, female circumcision, abuse of women or children, and land grabbing from the poor.

Religious Oppression: Restrictions on religious freedom, forced conversions, and destruction of places of worship.

Lack of Access to Basic Rights: Denial of education, healthcare, clean water, or fair wages due to social status, ethnicity, or poverty.

Gender-Based Injustice: Unequal treatment of women, forced marriage, domestic violence, and denial of property rights. 

Yet, amidst the injustices we face, our unwavering hope remains anchored in the character of our just God. We cling to the truth that He is not indifferent, that His throne is founded on righteousness, and that He will ultimately set all wrongs right, giving us the courage to persevere and pursue justice even when the immediate fight seems unwinnable.

PRAYER ACTION

Consider the Scriptures you cling to above. Consider injustices. Write a prayer for the kind of person you want to be when facing injustices.

REFLECTIONS ON BUILDING A PRACTICAL MINI-THEOLOGY OF INJUSTICE 

Take some time to prayerfully draft your practical mini-theology of “injustice” by responding to these questions:

  • What attributes of God (e.g., holiness, justice, love, righteousness) are most challenged or affirmed for you when you witness or experience injustice? In moments of deep injustice, how do you reconcile God’s sovereignty with the evil you observe?

example: God is… We are the kind of people who… It is most like us/me to… We/I will… We/I hold to…

  • Beyond the dramatic examples, what are the subtle, everyday forms of injustice you encounter in your context? (e.g., favoritism, dishonesty, neglect, gossip) How do these wear on your soul?
  • In situations of injustice, how do you discern when to actively confront, when to patiently endure, when to advocate, and when to trust God for ultimate justice? How do you guard your heart against negative responses to injustice?
  • Once you finish, share your responses with your mentor. Ask for feedback. Adjust your draft as needed.
  • Complete a one-page practical mini-theology.

RESOURCES FOR GOING DEEPER:

How to Respond to Evil Authorities

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How do you respond to injustice? There is within everyone a yearning to speak up, to take action, to retaliate, and to seek justice. However, when taking justice into our own hands the injustice, violence, and troubles only prolongate. Jesus provides the example and inspiration for enduring injustice and hardship.

Here we learn a lot about Peter’s audience. Some are servants working for mean, hurtful, and unjust bosses simply because they are worshiping Jesus (v.18). They are enduring much sorrow, suffering unjustly (v.19), and being sinned against for no good reason. So Peter explains how they as Christians are to live with authorities, even evil ones. Peter knows what it was like to live under a corrupt, power-heavy, god-complex emperor and his underlings. He too faced persecution and hardships from their hands, yet he says the way you respond can have a good affect on the way they rule.

“Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.” – 1 Peter 2:18-25, ESV

You will be rewarded by God for endurance and silence. We shouldn’t stop being Christian when someone is being mean or unjust by seeking revenge or resorting to violence in return. Praise God for groups like International Justice Mission and Slavery No More who are doing great work to help those who can’t help themselves. Yet, at the end of the day, it is God who sees injustice and judges the unjust (v.20).

You are a servant of Jesus above all. The bottom line is that enduring injustice is equal to following Christ. You should expect the world to applaud that you are a Christian, in fact, most Christians around the world are suffering persecution for following Jesus. It is through that persecution that the church grows in faith and numbers and the world sees the example of Christ in you (vs.21-24a).

You are safe with Jesus. He is your example and sin-bearing Savior. He was falsely accused, harassed by an evil regime, faced extreme injustice, yet through it all he did not sin.  Through Jesus suffering on the cross we see a great mercy. It was your sin that nailed him to the cross, yet Jesus willingly died in your place so that by his wounds you can be healed (v.24). Miraculously, you are dead to sin and alive to Christ. Jesus is our Shepherd in times of distress (v.25). Run to him. You are safe with him.

 

Questions for Reflection:

  • How do you normally respond to injustice? How does injustice often breed more injustice and violence in response? How does Jesus respond to injustice done to him? How is his response often different than yours? Why did he respond this way?
  • What do you learn about Peter’s audience from this passage? Where in your life are you subject to unjust authorities? What does it look like to entrust yourself to God in the midst of injustice?
  • What does it mean for a Christian to endure? What are some things you want to give up on or quit over because they are difficult? What can you do to endure better?
  • Is it okay to be sad or sorrowful over injustice and suffering? How did Jesus express sorrow? How is it a comfort to you to know that Jesus in “a Man of sorrows”? (cf. Isaiah 53:4; John 11:35)
  • What is the difference between suffering unjustly and suffering for sins we commit? Why does God call some to suffer unjustly? How did Jesus suffer unjustly? How did he treat those who made him suffer? How did Jesus injustice bring about justice?
  • How has Jesus healed you by his wounds? How is Jesus your Shepherd and Overseer? Read Psalm 23. Where in your life do you need to entrust your life to Jesus and die to sin?

Jesus on Trial: Injustices, Ironies, and Barabbas

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free barabbas

Can you name a movie or story where the main character is innocent, but is framed, tried and punished for a crime they didn’t commit? There are many. My favorites include: The Shawshank Redemption, The Green Mile, Double Jeopardy, The Fugitive, North By Northwest, The Wrong Man, The 39 Steps, An Innocent Man, and Hang ‘Em High.

In high school Minorities class, I heard the story, Cry Freedom. It is a real-life story of Steve Biko, a black South African and activist during the apartheid, and his white journalist friend Donald Woods. Woods learns about the discrimination, political corruption, and the repercussions of violence. After seeing the injustices, he risks his life to expose those stories to the world.

How do these movies or kinds of stories make you feel? We want justice! We cheer for the victims. We fear how we’d respond in a similar situation. It is natural to recoil at the punishment of the innocent. So it is with passages like Luke 23:1-25, we want to stand up for injustices against Jesus, but would we?

INJUSTICES AND IRONIES STAIN JESUS’ TRIAL (vs.1-16)

What makes something unjust (or ironic)? It’s when something unfair or plain wrong happens to someone. In other words, what should happen to Jesus is not (i.e. a fair trial or set free). In fact, the opposite takes place. The trial of Jesus is brimming with injustice and irony. Can you spot it? (I spot at least 6 instances).

First, the religious rulers accuse Jesus of misleading the nation by telling people not to give tribute to Caesar (v.2), when a few days earlier Jesus taught the exact opposite (cf. 20:19-25).

Second, the religious rulers try to ruffle the feathers of the political leaders by saying Jesus claims to be king of the Jews (v.3). Jesus has not directly said so, though He is, but not as they think. He has claimed to be the Son of God who will sit at God’s right hand (cf. 22:68-70); the seat of supreme authority.

Third, the religious rulers accuse Jesus of stirring the people through His teachings (v.5). He did stir crowds with the “truth” and the people were astonished by His teachings (cf. 4:32; 9:43).

Fourth, neither Pilate nor Herod find Jesus guilty of any crime that would deem punishable by death (vs.14-15). He is, in fact, innocent and without sin.1 Ironically, Herod dresses Jesus in gaudy royal robes making a mockery of His and the claim.

Fifth, the religious rulers will trade Jesus’ life for Barabbas, the murderer (v.18). I’ll say more on this later.

Sixth, Pilate volleys for Jesus without success. In a moment, Pilate throws Roman law out the window and give Jesus over to crowd. Unbeknown to him or the crowd, Jesus is being delivered over by the divine will of God. Pilate and the crowd are simply pawns in the hands of God bringing about redemptive history.

Surprisingly, this passage says nothing about Jesus’ friends or family. There aren’t Human Rights activists or picketers holding signs for Jesus release. The only one who stands up for Jesus is Pilate. He’s the highest man in Jerusalem, but he has little power over the cankerous crowd and the hand of God.

The events of Jesus’ trial expose the equal danger of denial and indifference towards Jesus. The religious people are in denial of who Jesus says He is. They say they worship God, but they have placed God incarnate, the Creator of the universe on trial. Pilate is indifferent towards Him. Neither the crowd nor Pilate fear God. The crowd fears the influence of Jesus and Pilate fears Tiberius charge to keep Pax Romana, which is being threatened by the rabble-rousing crowd. In their hearts, they both fear man, and the denial and indifference towards Jesus led to His unjust treatment.

This begs me question my heart too. Have I treated Jesus fairly or justly? Do I see any fault in Him? Do I resemble this sort of denial and indifference towards Jesus? If so, I am just as guilty as the crowd. If I were honest, there are times each day when denial and indifference creep in and kill the authority and power of Jesus that desires to reign in my life. If I were in the crowd that day, I probably wouldn’t cry freedom. I would be joining the crowd chanting, “Crucify, crucify Him!”

While reading this passage, I mustn’t feel guilt, rather I must reveal in the grace of God. No amount of torture, pain, loneliness, mockery, suffering, or injustice stops Jesus from following through with His divine call. Jesus bears God’s wrath, pays for my punishment, so that I will have eternal life, forever freedom, forgiveness, and redemption. Jesus’ injustice bought my shalom.

JESUS’ RESPONSE TO THE INJUSTICES IS SURREAL

Why doesn’t Jesus cry freedom? Why doesn’t Jesus save Himself? Surely, He can. Even during the onslaught of scorn from religious rulers, soldiers, and a criminal hanging next to Jesus, He willingly remains fixed on the cross (cf. 22:35-39). Oddly, all throughout Jesus’ trial and crucifixion He doesn’t say many words. He’s remains silent and confident. He doesn’t save Himself. He willingly goes along with His own death sentence. He could call for swift justice and will, but not yet. An injustice must happen to Jesus for justice to prevail.

Jesus’ response should give us courage to fear God rather than man. In difficult situations or under pressure to speak, sometimes no response is needed, only trust and obedience in God’s providence. Often Christians are the worlds justice police. We see an injustice and we fight for right.  We want to see the innocent freed and the criminal hanged. We’ve established organizations like World Vision or International Justice Mission, which do great things throughout the world to give a voice to abused, neglected, enslaved, and imprisoned. Yet it was one of the worlds greatest injustices has ever seen has set us free.

YOU ARE MORE LIKE BARABBAS THAN YOU THINK (vs.18-25)

One of the wildest ironies within Jesus’ trial is the exchange for Barabbas. How crazy and idiotic is the crowd to free a convicted murderer? This shows the irrational trajectory of fearing man. They would rather live with a murderer on the loose than have Jesus in teaching and healing in their streets.

I’ve always detested for Barabbas. I picture him as a scar faced, chip-toothed, scraggly-eyed villain. The kind of guy mom would want you hanging around. However, as I read through this text again a question lingered on my mind. How is the exchange for Barabbas a perfect picture of the exchange of my life for Jesus? It dawned on me for the first time. My sin is just as detestable and punishable by death as Barabbas’, but instead of the crowd it was the Righteous Judge, Jesus, who set me free to live another day. I, like Barabbas, have been released in exchange for the blood of an innocent man.

This passage really hits home. We live among a people in Africa who are all too familiar with injustices and unfairness. Some have seen family members and friends beaten, raped, and/or killed. They are crying for freedom. Only Jesus will minister hope to their fear and despair. He too faced injustices and yet responded with confidence and trust in His Father. And God had mercy on us all through the death of His only Son. Therefore, let us boldly proclaim the Hope of Nations as ones who have experienced and benefit from the beautiful exchange.2

Questions for Application & Reflection: How is the exchange for Barabbas the perfect picture of the great exchange of our life for Jesus? How has Jesus set you free? What gives you the strength to resist fear of man and pressures in your life? How can Jesus be displayed in injustices you face in your ministry? In what ways do you relate to the crowd calling for the death of Jesus?