Jesus "Sets Justice in the Earth" - A Living Example of Justice

Jesus did more than teach about love.  He lived "the law of the Christ."  It was embodied in his life course.  Consider three ways in which Jesus' example made clear what justice is.  

First, Jesus scrupulously avoiding committing any injustice.  Perhaps you have noticed  that many injustices come about when imperfect humans grow arrogant and overstep the proper bounds of their authority.  Jesus did not do that. On one occasion,  a man approached Jesus and said:  "Teacher, tell  my brother to divide the inheritance with me."  Jesus' response?  "Man, who appointed me judge or apportioner over you  persons?"  (Luke 12:13, 14)  Is that not remarkable?  Jesus' intellect, his judgment, and even his level of God-given authority exceeded that of anyone on earth; yet, he refused to involve himself in this matter, since he had not been granted the particular authority to do so.  Jesus has always been modest in this way, even during the millenniums of his prehuman existence. (Jude 9)  It says much for Jesus that he humbly trusts Jehovah to determine what is just.

Second, Jesus displayed justice in the way he preached the good news of God's Kingdom.   He showed to bias.  Rather, he earnestly endeavored to reach all kinds of people, whether rich or poor.  In contrast, the Pharisees dismissed poor common people with the contemptuous term 'am-ha-'a'rets, or "people of the land."  Jesus courageously set the justice right.  When he taught people the good news-or, for that matter, when he ate with people, fed them, cursed them, or even resurrected them-he upheld the justice of the God who wants to reach "all sorts of men." -1 Timothy 2:4. 

Next time: Jesus "Sets Justice in the Earth" - Conclusion of  A Living Example of Justice

From the book: Draw Close to Jehovah