Continued from Card 1....
Jesus & Social Justice
Return to Luke 4 - Jesus announces his ministry
Did Jesus ever talk about social justice?
The only time we have recorded him mentioning justice is…
“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.
-Israelite leaders addressing Israelite treatment of Israelites
Luke 18:1ff - Parable of he widow and the unjust judge
-Not about injustice…it is about prayer!
-That is it….
Jesus never addresses…
-Political oppression and violence of the Roman Empire
Luke 13:1 - Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices.
-Exploitative practices of the Roman Empire
Matthew 5:41 - If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles.
Luke 3:12-13 - Even tax collectors came to be baptized. “Teacher,” they asked, “what should we do?”
“Don’t collect any more than you are required to,” he told them.
-Improper policing practices of the Roman Empire
Luke 3:14 - Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?”
He replied, “Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely—be content with your pay.”
-Poverty and wealth distribution
Mark 14:7 - The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want.
-Social problems including homelessness, hunger or medical improvements
Luke 9 - Feeding of the 5000 - Not poverty! Seeking Jesus until they ran out of food!
Social problem of racism…except in his disciples!
Mark 7 - “First let the children eat all they want,” he told her, “for it is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.”
Even when they try to drag him into it…
“Should we pay taxes to caesar?”
-He brings it back to what matters, our relationship with God
What about Acts???
Acts 2:45 - They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.
-Fulfilling of Leviticus 19
-Wait! What? Silver and gold you do not have????
-They did not set up a resource for all people
-They took care of the disciples
Acts 6:1 - In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.
-Again, fulfilling Leviticus 19!
5:3 - Discern real need, i.e. no family to help her
5:9 - Over 60 years old
5:9-10 - A strong disciple
Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
Again…the Old testament, Jesus and the New Testament Church were all focused on establishing social justice in how God’s people treat God’s people
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