This week we continue to think about valuing ‘Justice & Respect.’

Looking back at last week, have you thought about how you can act against injustice? Have you got any example of how have acted with compassion for those around you?

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This week, I want to focus on this incredible moment from Jesus that we read in Luke 21, verses 41-45. To set the scene, Jesus had just been questioned by the religious leaders who were angry with what Jesus had been teaching and doing. Then Jesus did this:

45 Then, with the crowds listening, he turned to his disciples and said, 46 “Beware of these teachers of religious law! For they like to parade around in flowing robes and love to receive respectful greetings as they walk in the marketplaces. And how they love the seats of honor in the synagogues and the head table at banquets. 47 Yet they shamelessly cheat widows out of their property and then pretend to be pious by making long prayers in public. Because of this, they will be severely punished.”

When Jesus spoke these words, it revealed to us what really mattered to Him. He didn’t care about the status, power or authority of others. He cared about their hearts and how they loved. Jesus speaks out against the religious leaders because of their failure to act justly and respect others.

So, how do we see Jesus act differently? Well, he brought compassion to those who had been mistreated. He brought hope to those who society had cast out. He stood up against corrupt political and religious leaders who mistreated and discriminated against others.  The group of people Jesus was challenging were those who wanted to appear to be ‘holiest’, but in reality they were wicked, unjust leaders.

This is what valuing justice and respect looks like. If you value justice and respect, you must fight for justice and love others well. Even though our world is so different 2000 years after Jesus, we still need to fight for what he stood up for.

How can you stand up for justice and respect in our modern communities?

What could you do in your community to love others well?

Watch this video, with lots of opinions on what Christians could do. What do you think about what they are saying?

Let’s Pray to finish.

Lord, teach us the importance of Justice & Respect and create in us new hearts and enlarged visions to see the image of God in every person, irrespective of background, race and ethnicity. May we be generous in our love of others as we work towards ending misunderstanding, racism and injustice; creating communities of human flourishing.

Where we see injustice, remind us to act. Where we see discrimination, challenge us to speak up. We pray that with Your Holy Spirit, we can transform our world to be more loving and committed to both respect and justice.  

Fill the hearts of all people with Your love and the desire to ensure justice for all their brothers and sisters. We make this prayer in Jesus’ name. Amen.