Does the Bible speak about justice? (BibleProject video)

Video by BibleProject. Words below written by a staff member with Power to Change-Students.

Justice (or injustice, more likely) is all around us. We are reminded of it with every headline and news article. Injustice against race, religion, culture, gender, and age is continually brought to our attention. It is easy to become disheartened and apathetic to the condition of this world. 

As humans, we are continually seeking more for ourselves, often at the expense of others. BibleProject visually demonstrates justice––or the lack of it––in their video through the height or depth of the individuals on block towers. The more obvious ones are how we treat the prisoner, the slave, or the criminal. However, sometimes we may not even know we are partaking in injustice (it can be as simple as taking an apple from a tree), decreasing the value of an image-bearing individual. 

The Bible defines justice as retributive, or more often as restorative. It goes beyond our human understanding of the repayment of wrongdoing and seeks to bring right to the relationship. As Christians, we are told to seek righteousness and justice: speaking up, caring, and advocating for the vulnerable (Proverbs 31:8-9, Jeremiah 22:3, Psalm 146:7-10). Some view this as charity, but it is so much more! It is a selfless, radical love of your neighbor (Mark 12:31), even at the cost of ourselves. This can look like feeding the hungry even with the smallest of incomes, or dismantling social structures that take advantage of the vulnerable even if it costs you privilege. 

As we watch this video, we begin to understand that we are to pursue justice because Jesus was the true advocate and protector; he lost privilege so we might gain it. This is despite our wrongdoing (sin) or behaviour of injustice––Jesus views us as righteous and image-bearers because of the price he paid. 

Not only that, but we can take heart because one day he will make all things right. Jesus will return to Earth to defeat evil once and for all, and to enact full justice and take vengeance on those who perpetrate evil. BibleProject reminds us to do justice, seek mercy, and walk humbly with our God (Micah 6:8). May we all be advocates as Christ advocated for us.