The Heart of Justice is the Cross of Jesus

Justice is a word that evokes strong emotions. At an early age, we see and feel injustice. This is because we are made in the image of a God of justice. However, sin twisted all things, including justice. If we want to understand true justice, we must see it centered on the cross of Jesus. The center of the word justice is the letter “t” or a cross.

In Persevering Power, I write of the problems that arise when we twist justice in one of four ways.

Paternalism is rooted in pride. I believe I know better how to help you. I may not intentionally mean harm but by robbing someone else of personal freedom and autonomy, I twist justice. Why do we build houses where others are capable of building? Why do we think we have to do justice for someone instead of doing justice with them?

The cross destroys this false view of justice. At the cross, Jesus cried out, ‘Father forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” Lk 23:34. While Rome and the Jewish leaders believed they knew what was best, Jesus said not my will, but your will be done. Lk. 22:42. True justice pursues the will of the Father and not the will of the people.

Pessimism is also rooted in pride. Instead of being a hero, I am a victim. Justice is wielded by the powerful against the powerless and I am powerless to do anything about it. Pessimism creates hopelessness. Studies consistently demonstrate the adverse effects on mental and physical health that pessimism creates. While some pessimism is generated by chemical imbalances, much is created by lived experiences. Don’t let these experiences define your reality. You are not a victim; you are a child of the High King of Heaven.

The cross destroys the pessimistic view of justice. Two victims joined Jesus at the cross. They fought for justice. One wanted sarcastically for Jesus to free him physically from his circumstances. The other saw true justice rooted in the hope of Jesus and asked to join him in paradise. Lk 23:39-43. True justice hopes.

Pietism is similarly rooted in pride. Pietists define justice in retributive terms. Judgment toward others while pursuing legalistic standards for themselves. Far too many Christians today live in holy huddles judging the world around them instead of loving neighbors in need. They use justice to hate not to heal. True justice heals.

The cross destroys this pietistic view of justice. Pietistic tendencies were reflected in the Pharisees and rulers of Jesus’s day. Their strong belief in their rightness put Jesus on the cross. They judged him and sneered at him to save himself. Lk. 23:35. Rather than save himself, Jesus chose to save all of us from the condemnation of the law. Through Jesus, the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death found in the law. Rom. 8:1-4. True justice restores.

Like other false approaches to justice, paroxysm is rooted in pride. A sudden violent emotion or action by someone compelled them to take justice into their own hands and while the strong desire for fairness is good violent responses are not. The Harvard Business Review has constructive guidance as part of its difficult conversation series.

The cross destroys paroxysm. Jesus did not seek to overthrow Rome. He could have. The Roman system was unjust. But Jesus invites us to advance a different Kingdom. This does not mean he asks us to turn a blind eye to injustice but rather he reminds us that we are not the author of justice but agents of justice. We advance justice as a means of drawing people closer to the cross which will mean entering the public square and loving our neighbors in practice and policy.

The heart of justice is the cross of Jesus. Why? Because the cross is the best example of humility. False justice is about pride. True justice is about humility. Do justice but do it with kindness and humility as a means of drawing others closer to the cross.