Justice and Mercy
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Have you ever been hurt? Have you ever been consumed with revenge for the pain you suffered?
Have you ever been hurt? Have you ever been consumed with revenge for the pain you suffered?
I have – Aaron getting hit by the mayor’s son!
Today we are looking at a story of one man and his questioning of God for not settling the score.
When Jesus had finished giving these instructions to his twelve disciples, he went out to teach and preach in towns throughout the region.
John the Baptist, who was in prison, heard about all the things the Messiah was doing. So he sent his disciples to ask Jesus, “Are you the Messiah we’ve been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else?”
Jesus told them, “Go back to John and tell him what you have heard and seen—the blind see, the lame walk, those with leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor.” And he added, “God blesses those who do not fall away because of me.”
John’s story – prison – beheaded – Herod the unjust and evil king.
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When we experience injustice, we can be tempted to demand God to settle our score, to bring judgment, to make the world right by consuming our offender with His wrath.
When we experience injustice, we can be tempted to demand God to settle our score, to bring judgment, to make the world right by consuming our offender with His wrath.
When we experience injustice, we can be tempted to demand God to settle our score, to bring judgment, to make the world right by consuming our offender with His wrath.
I want us to look at three important concepts of God and Justice today!
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First,
Jesus reminds us; his priority is the healing of the broken.
Jesus reminds us; his priority is the healing of the broken.
Jesus told them, “Go back to John and tell him what you have heard and seen—the blind see, the lame walk, those with leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor.” And he added, “God blesses those who do not fall away because of me.”
Jesus reminds John that God is first providing an opportunity for healing and restoration.
John was focused on a wrathful concept of the Messiah
Jesus was focused on a restorative concept of the Messiah.
(Toni D’olive story – injustice – Jesus heals and restores.
I want you to know, if you have been hurt Jesus is here to heal and restore you.
I want you to know, if you have been hurt Jesus is here to heal and restore you.
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Second,
Jesus desires to bring ultimate healing by restoring the offended and the offender under God’s reign.
Jesus desires to bring ultimate healing by restoring the offended and the offender under God’s reign.
Often, the abused becomes the abuser. Our pain turns into our own monstrous acts of violence.
God’s ultimate purpose in justice is to restore and heal both the offender and the offended.
For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us. He did this by ending the system of law with its commandments and regulations. He made peace between Jews and Gentiles by creating in himself one new people from the two groups. Together as one body, Christ reconciled both groups to God by means of his death on the cross, and our hostility toward each other was put to death.
(Story -Cambodia - injustice - healing- forgiveness- reconciliation )
True justice is not the judgment of the offender but the full and total reconciliation of the offended and offender.
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Lastly
Judgment will come to those who refuse to live in love and reconciliation under the reign of God.
Judgment will come to those who refuse to live in love and reconciliation under the reign of God.
“To what can I compare this generation? It is like children playing a game in the public square. They complain to their friends,
‘We played wedding songs,
and you didn’t dance,
so we played funeral songs,
and you didn’t mourn.’
For John didn’t spend his time eating and drinking, and you say, ‘He’s possessed by a demon.’ The Son of Man, on the other hand, feasts and drinks, and you say, ‘He’s a glutton and a drunkard, and a friend of tax collectors and other sinners!’ But wisdom is shown to be right by its results.”
Then Jesus began to denounce the towns where he had done so many of his miracles, because they hadn’t repented of their sins and turned to God. “What sorrow awaits you, Korazin and Bethsaida! For if the miracles I did in you had been done in wicked Tyre and Sidon, their people would have repented of their sins long ago, clothing themselves in burlap and throwing ashes on their heads to show their remorse. I tell you, Tyre and Sidon will be better off on judgment day than you.
“And you people of Capernaum, will you be honored in heaven? No, you will go down to the place of the dead. For if the miracles I did for you had been done in wicked Sodom, it would still be here today. I tell you, even Sodom will be better off on judgment day than you.”
God is patient but there will come a day when his justice will be judgment on.
Jerusalem was judged – AD 70
Rome was judged –
We must remember that vengeance belongs to God and not us.
Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!
Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.
Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say,
“I will take revenge;
I will pay them back,”
says the Lord.
God will set all wrongs to right
And judgment will be part of that justice
But first, God offers peace – life – healing- restoration – and reconciliation
The scriptures call this – SALVATION.
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Conclusion:
If you have been unjustly hurt and your pain has led to bitterness, hatred and unforgiveness: Jesus says to you, “Come to me, for my way is easy to bear, and my burden is light.” Love God – Love your neighbor – Even your enemy.
Allow the Spirit of God to bring healing into your heart, mind and body.
Forgive your offender even if they refuse to acknowledge their evil.
Pray for God’s love to capture the heart of your offender.
Leave the vengeance to God
And allow yourself to be free from your offender’s evil towards you.
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If you have lashed out in your own hurt or fear and caused others to be broken and hurt, Jesus is saying to you, “Come to me, for my way is easy….’
Allow God’s forgiveness to heal your wounded heart.
Seek forgiveness of your offender
Speak the truth about your actions (confess your sins).
Accept with a graceful heart the consequences of your actions.
Forgive those who hurt you.
It is in the love of God and for one another that we will find ultimate healing, freedom, and justice.