Topical Bible: Justice: Christ, an Example of

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In the Christian tradition, Jesus Christ is revered not only as the Savior and Redeemer but also as the ultimate exemplar of justice. His life and teachings provide a profound model for understanding and practicing justice in accordance with divine principles. The concept of justice in the Bible is deeply intertwined with righteousness, mercy, and truth, all of which are embodied in the person and work of Christ.

Justice in the Teachings of Christ

Jesus' teachings consistently reflect a commitment to justice that transcends mere legalism and embraces the spirit of the law. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus articulates a vision of justice that goes beyond external compliance to the law, emphasizing the importance of inner righteousness. He declares, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled" (Matthew 5:6). Here, righteousness is closely linked with justice, suggesting a deep, intrinsic desire for what is right and fair.

In His parables, Jesus often highlights themes of justice and fairness. The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard (Matthew 20:1-16) challenges conventional notions of fairness, illustrating God's sovereign justice and generosity. Similarly, the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant (Matthew 18:21-35) underscores the necessity of mercy and forgiveness as integral components of divine justice.

Justice in the Actions of Christ

Throughout His ministry, Jesus actively demonstrated justice through His actions. He consistently reached out to the marginalized and oppressed, challenging societal norms and advocating for those who were often overlooked. In John 8:1-11, Jesus confronts the injustice of the Pharisees who sought to stone a woman caught in adultery. By stating, "Let him who is without sin among you be the first to cast a stone at her" (John 8:7), Jesus exposes the hypocrisy of the accusers and extends mercy, thereby upholding a higher standard of justice.

Jesus' cleansing of the temple (Matthew 21:12-13) is another powerful example of His commitment to justice. By driving out the money changers and merchants, He defends the sanctity of God's house and condemns the exploitation of the poor, declaring, "My house will be called a house of prayer, but you are making it a den of robbers" (Matthew 21:13).

Justice in the Sacrifice of Christ

The crucifixion of Jesus is the ultimate manifestation of divine justice. In His sacrificial death, Jesus satisfies the demands of justice while simultaneously extending grace and mercy to humanity. The Apostle Paul writes, "God presented Him as the atoning sacrifice through faith in His blood, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance He had passed over the sins committed beforehand" (Romans 3:25). Through the cross, God's justice and love are perfectly reconciled, providing a means for sinners to be justified and reconciled to God.

Justice in the Resurrection and Reign of Christ

The resurrection of Christ is a testament to the triumph of divine justice over sin and death. It affirms the righteousness of Christ and His authority to judge the living and the dead. As the risen Lord, Jesus is depicted as the righteous judge who will execute justice at the end of the age. In Revelation 19:11, John describes Christ as the one who "judges and wages war in righteousness" , underscoring His role as the ultimate arbiter of justice.

In summary, Jesus Christ exemplifies perfect justice through His teachings, actions, sacrifice, and reign. His life provides a model for believers to pursue justice that is rooted in love, mercy, and truth, reflecting the character of God Himself.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 98:9
Before the LORD; for he comes to judge the earth: with righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 11:4
But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth: with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Jeremiah 23:5
Behold, the days come, said the LORD, that I will raise to David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Christ was not Regenerated in the Baptism of John, but Submitted ...
... But Submitted to It to Give Us an Example of Humility ... punish; so that it was in the
strictest justice, and not ... for, as he had most unjustly put Christ to death ...
/.../augustine/the enchiridion/chapter 49 christ was not regenerated.htm

Christ, the Great Teacher
... When He took the example for a good neighbour He ... and whose help they need; but Christ,
in carrying ... Sin."Man violates his sense of righteousness and justice. ...
/.../sell/studies in the life of the christian/study i christ the great.htm

Thoughts Upon the Imitation of Christ.
... AND as Christ by his Death and Passions hath thus ... they are, was, that we by his Example,
might learn ... in their Generations for Piety and Justice, did oftentimes ...
/.../private thoughts upon a christian life/thoughts upon the imitation of.htm

On the Power of the Church in Administering Justice, or on ...
... THE POWER OF THE CHURCH IN ADMINISTERING JUSTICE, OR ON ... as is intimated by the word
of Christ, in Matthew 18 ... and to deter others from sinning after his example. ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 2/disputation lvii on the power.htm

Christ.
... when the time was come that his blood was by divine justice required for ... way to eternal
life is, first of all, to take Christ for our example, treading his ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bunyan/the riches of bunyan/vii christ.htm

Noah's Justice
... This, then, was Noah's justice in God's sight, as it ... one who knows he is redeemed
by Christ's blood; he ... him as, next to Abraham, their greatest example in the ...
/.../kingsley/twenty-five village sermons/sermon x noahs justice.htm

Christ and Man in the Atonement
... To do justice to the truth here, both on its religious and its ethical side, it
is necessary ... The idea of fellowship with Christ, for example, is constantly ...
/.../denney/the atonement and the modern mind/chapter iii christ and man.htm

That the Example of Certain Saints who Seem to have Exercised ...
... for similar words did not please Jesus Christ, when said ... would say to Demophilus,
who alleged the example of Phinees ... anger of man worketh not the justice of God ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter xvi that the example.htm

"And if Christ be in You, the Body is Dead Because of Sin; but the ...
... body of Christ militant, showing, in his own example, how much ... that sin were not
fully satisfied for, nor justice fully contented by, Christ's ransom ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xxvi and if christ.htm

Christ Rightly and Properly Said to have Merited Grace and ...
... simply, and by himself, to the justice of God ... which that man from his formation became
Christ." Again, in ... There is not a more striking example of predestination ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 17 christ rightly and.htm