Look Up to Cross

Ecclesiastes 5:8 If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of judgment and justice in a province, marvel not at the matter: for he that is higher than the highest regardeth; and there be higher than they.

The scripture is telling us not to be discouraged when you witness injustice because there is a higher official to appeal to and ultimately God is the judge. In an atheist, or communist society, the state or man becomes the highest power. So, if the state or dictator does not act justly, then there is no greater one to appeal to. Dr. Martin Luther king and Frederick Douglas used Christian and even the founding documents of the USA, such as the declaration of independence because it appeals to a higher power who judges all. 

The idea of justice provides a unique opportunity to share the gospel because for justice to be served it demands an absolute morality. The term justice could be defined the following ways:

• fairness in the way people are dealt with - blacks treated the same as white, but what about the righteous who suffer and the wicked who prospers. But who determines what is fair?

• the system of laws in a country that judges and punishes people - how are these laws established. 

• a judge in a law court: - but God is the Ultimate Judge

God is the only one who can treat all people fairly. Only His moral law is perfectly just. He is the true judge of all the earth. 

We do not need to lose the faith in the face of injustice:

Luke 18:1-5 And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; 2Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: 3And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. 4And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; 5Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. 6And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. 7And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? 8I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?

This widow woman was asking for justice from an unjust judge, and continued in prayer because the judge was unjust. Jesus used this as an example of how we should not be wearing in seeking after God even when the situation is bad. God shall reward and avenge those who diligently Him.

So a gospel conversation around injustice begins with the fact that God is the ultimate and true judge. Then we bring the matter to the cross of Jesus Christ. At the cross God demonstrates the ultimate answer to injustice.

At Act of Love - Romans 5:6-8 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7For \jscarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 8But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

• Died for the powerless (without strength) - no power over sin.

• Died for the sinful - to free them from the oppression that keeps them in sin

At the cross, The Sinless Jesus Took the Pain of Injustice. The cross is the ultimate symbol of justice because an innocent man took upon himself the sins of all so that we can be free.

John 3:14-15 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: 15That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

Jesus was here referring to when Moses lifted up the bronze serpent in the wilderness. 

Numbers 21:8- 9 And the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live. 9And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.

Moses had up a symbol of the very thing that was biting them. But it was placed upon a pole. We look at Jesus on the cross, who is suffering like a sinner, and dieing like a criminal, the very thing that blocks our spiritual life is now placed on Jesus, and when we look up to him we are healed. I am not saying when we look to Jesus, all injustices of the world ends, but that when we look to him, the hurts from the injustices can be healed. And his death and resurrection is the evidence of the retribution and ending of all injustices.  The cross was the most degrading punishment of those days.

His death ensures our healing from injustices. His death and resurrection ensures justice for all. 

Acts 17:31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.

So when we look to the cross, how is the cross the ultimate answer for injustice?

Jesus said the following: 

Jesus took Our Burdens

Isaiah 53:4-5 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. 5But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

1. Sorrows - he took upon himself our pain

2. Griefs

3. Guilt - and he took away our guilt before God.

The Blood of the Innocent Speaks

The blood of the innocent cries out for justice  

Genesis 4:10 And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground. 

The blood of Jesus Christ justifies us before God

Hebrew 12:24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.

Jesus Was Oppressed for Our Deliverance

Isaiah 53:7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.

1 Corinthians 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

1 Corinthians 2:2 And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. 2For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.