Justice- Jesus Style!

Man's justice is all about retribution.

retribution |ˌretrəˈbyoō sh ən|: noun: punishment that is considered to be morally right and fully deserved 

If a crime has been committed, according to man's justice, a price must be paid. The common view of justice fulfilled on the cross, is that Jesus bore the penalty of sin, so that we could be free. At least, that's what I was taught. So to me, this seemed like the logical way to look at it- noble even- and making Jesus' sacrifice about bearing God's wrath that was toward us. But hang on- what if God's justice isn't retribution... 

What if God's justice is about restoration?

restoration |ˌrestəˈrā sh ən|: noun: 1 the action of returning something to a former owner, place, or condition

2 the return of a hereditary monarch to a throne, a head of state to government, or a regime to power.

Is God's justice about 'an eye for an eye', or restoring things to their former glory?

In man's version- retribution- there must be payback for wrongs committed. The victim(s) and/or their families must be compensated, or justice hasn't been served. The problem is, the crime that caused there to be a victim has still been committed, even if 'justice' has been served. Ask the victim(s) or their families if they would rather have the criminal pay for his crimes, or things restored to the way they were- as if the crime had never happened. Which would you choose?

I believe that God would choose to restore everyone involved to wholeness, forgiveness, and peace. I'm not saying we should overlook the crime and compromise what is right. I am saying that God is in the business of making all things new, and even better, that He is ABLE to make all things new!

Remember the version of justice on the cross I was taught? We love to tell each other this, because it seems like such an amazing act of justice- that God's son would take the penalty that was destined for us. That He would willingly take our place. The problem with this view is that Jesus' justice is not satisfied. Who pays the penalty for an innocent man being killed? 

So, maybe the cross wasn't about retribution. Maybe it was about restoration.

Does God tell us what His version of justice is? Let's look, shall we?

Isaiah 1:17: (God speaking) "Learn to do good; seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow."

Zechariah 7:9-10: Thus says the Lord of hosts: Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another; do not oppress the widow, the orphan, the alien, or the poor; and do not devise evil in your hearts against one another.

(Sound like retribution or restoration??)

Matthew 5:38-42: (Jesus speaking) "You have heard it said. 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also; and if anyone wants to sue you and take your coat, give your cloak as well; and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile. Give to everyone who begs from you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you.

(And my FAVORITE)

Isaiah 30:18: Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you;

therefore he will rise up to show mercy to you.

For the Lord is a God of justice;

blessed are all those who wait for him.

Wow! I love that. It says that He is a God of justice, and in the two previous verses He has described what that justice looks like: being gracious to us, showing mercy to us! Makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Sound like retribution to you? To me it sounds 100% like restoration.

The justice of God was satisfied on the cross because of God being gracious to us and showing us mercy. What good news!

The other thing I wanted to touch on, (and I think they go together like wine and more wine), (sorry, starting to enjoy God's presence through the blogging process!! hee hee!!), Is that LOVE is not just one of God's attributes. He's not merely 'loving'- God IS love.

If He is love, He can never be something contrary to that. If 'love' is merely one of His attributes, or an aspect of personality, (like moody), then He can be loving (or moody) depending on the day and what we have done. We could do something that would make Him not feel very loving toward us. But if God IS love, He will never treat us in a way that is not loving. He can't. All of His actions, thoughts, plans, etc. toward humanity throughout history have been based out of who He is- love. It may not seem like it on the surface of a Bible story, but if you look for the love in it, it's not usually buried too deep. He delights to reveal how loving He is and has been, and will always continue to be. Isn't THAT good news?!

 Time for a paradigm shift, people! God is not mad at us! He isn't loving us unless we step out of line. He is just loving us! No matter what!

Jesus came to restore all things to their former glory. I have something to tell you that may surprise you. You were not condemned to death because you sinned. Jesus was not bearing your punishment for sinning. He was conquering 'sin', and setting you free! When God looked at you before the cross, He saw you! He also saw that you were a slave to sin, and that because of this, you could only receive death- because that's what sin does. He wanted to set you free from sin, and bring you into His Kingdom of LIFE. That's what Jesus did on the cross. He conquered death and sin, and made you free. YOU. He sees you when He looks at you- not sin. They are two separate things. You are good. That's what He said when He created you, and it's still true! Hallelujah!

When we agree with Heaven- that Jesus gave us salvation from sin on the cross, we can begin to walk in the wholeness- the restoration- the justice of what that means. He overcame death so that we could live! He loves you so much! You were on His mind at creation, through all of history, as He was dying on the cross-because He was longing to be gracious to you and show mercy to you. You know- justice, God style.