Being a Christian means we should all be committed to action in upholding the cause of justice without fear and favour, remembering that was what Jesus taught us in words and action - not to simply be concerned about ourselves, and ignore the wrongs in society.. for the ultimate objective is to ensure that God's will be done here on earth as it is in heaven. And surely God does not tolerate injustice, human rights violation, discrimination, abuse of power, corruption, etc... Jesus and the prophets set the example in how they lived their lives... Will we also follow Jesus to do what we can in this mission for justice
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.
This is the time when Christians remember the crucifixion of Jesus(Good Friday) and his rising from death(Easter Sunday) - but it is important to understand what it means to follow Jesus...does it just means praying, and doing nothing else... in the society/world that we live...UNFORTUNATELY, it is not - it is an active participation in the world - the 'upholding of justice without fear and favour' - the speaking out and acting against the wrongs and rights violations...
Of course, it may translate in anger especially of those in authority - and, in the case of Jesus, what he did resulted in the wrath of the the local leaders, and also the Roman colonial government at that time - arrest, detention, torture and execution...
To better understand Jesus, it is crucial to understand the situation of the land where Jesus lived in... Palestine then was colonized by the Romans, and the Roman in charge was Pontius Pilate...
In administration of the region, some minimal power was given to the locals - but it was limited. For example, they did not have the power to EXECUTE anyone, and that is why they took Jesus to Pontius Pilate to get him to execute or CRUCIFY Jesus, the mode of execution at that time - and Pontius Pilate ordered the crucifixion.
Similarities today is with West Bank, where the Palestinians have limited power, and the main power still is with the Israeli Zionist regime...
Thus, Jesus was arrested and taken to the LOCAL leadership, - the High Priest, Scribes and Elders...
57 Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas, the high priest, where the scribes and the elders had assembled. 58 Peter, however, followed him at a distance as far as the high priest’s courtyard. He went inside and sat down with the servants to see how this would end.
59 Meanwhile, the high priests and the whole Council[ac] were looking for false testimony against Jesus in order to have him put to death.
As they did not have the power to execute - they took Jesus to Pontius Pilate
27 When morning came, all the high priests and elders of the people conspired against Jesus to put him to death. 2 They bound him with chains, led him away, and handed him over to Pontius[a] Pilate, the governor.
26 Then he released Barabbas for them, but he had Jesus whipped and handed over to be crucified. - Matthew 27
There were different 'classes' like the 'religious' PHARISEES, Sadducee, priests, scribes, zealots
There were different ethnic groups in Palestine then - Jews, Samaritans,etc
It was a Patriarchal Society and also an ethnically discriminatory society, where also certain people were seen to be dirty - tax collectors, sick(lepers,etc)
But, JESUS was a Human Rights Defender that did not remain silent or 'BLIND" to the injustices around him - he SPOKE OUT, and in some cases acted...So, naturally, these people were angry with Jesus, more so when they saw that he was gaining more and more followers/supporters - thus FALSE allegations, arrest, detention, torture and finally DEATH
23 “How terrible it will be for you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your mint, dill, and cummin, but have neglected the more important matters of the Law: justice, mercy, and faithfulness.[p] These are the things you should have practiced, without neglecting the others. 24 You blind guides! You filter out a gnat, yet swallow a camel!
25 “How terrible it will be for you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but on the inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. 26 You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup,[q] so that its outside may also be clean.
27 “How terrible it will be for you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs that look beautiful on the outside but inside are full of dead people’s bones and every kind of impurity. 28 In the same way, on the outside you look righteous to people, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness. - Matthew 23
11 How is it you don’t understand that I was not talking to you about bread? But be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”
12 Then they understood that he was not telling them to guard against the yeast used in bread, but against the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.- Matthew 16
12 Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. 13 “It is written,” he said to them, “‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’[a] but you are making it ‘a den of robbers.’[b]” - Matthew 21
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven. - Matthew 6
This is but a personal reflection - but the hope that it moves more people to act against injustice, rights violations, abuses, corruption...
Happy Easter everyone...
In fact, in my opinion, the call is similar in all other religions and faiths - that same CALL for us all to root out INJUSTICE and Rights Violations - and Build a World where JUSTICE reigns. So, I call all to join in upholding the cause of Justice without fear or favour.
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