Kingdom Principle: The narrative of the coming of Jesus the King is simply but profound. Jesus the King has come, Jesus the King has gone away (for a time), but Jesus the King will come again. And his return will be un-expected and un-mistakable. And when He returns he will bring justice with Him.
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Justice ___________________________
Luke 18:2–8 (ESV) 2 He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. 3 And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ 4 For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.’
Justice is the measure taken to protect that, which is good, true, and beautiful.
Psalm 10:16–18 (ESV) — 16 The Lord is king forever and ever; the nations perish from his land. 17 O Lord, you hear the desire of the afflicted; you will strengthen their heart; you will incline your ear 18 to do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, so that man who is of the earth may strike terror no more.
God has called us to protect the poor, widows and orphans because they are the most vulnerable among us.
Isaiah 1:16–17 (ESV) — 16 Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your deeds from before my eyes; cease to do evil, 17 learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause.
James 1:27 (ESV) — 27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.
Why ought we suffer injustices for a time? Because we know that justice is coming.
Revelation 19:11–16 (ESV) — 11 Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. 12 His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. 13 He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. 14 And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. 15 From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.
Matthew 25:31-46 (pg 780)
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Justice __________________
Luke 18:6–8 (ESV) 6 And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says. 7 And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? 8 I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”
If we can expect a thimble full of justice from an unrighteous judge, how great will be the bucket of God’s justice when it is unleashed on the earth.
The intent of the parable is that God is far different from the unjust judge. It is not that he is ignoring justice. It is that he is postponing justice for a time. And for what purpose? In order that he might show mercy.
2 Peter 3:8–9 (ESV) 8 But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
Questions to consider
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In what ways are you experiencing injustice in your life? How ought you respond to it?
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Do you find hope in the reality of the coming justice when the King returns? Why or why not?
