Social Justice and the Gospel

GOLDEN TEXT: “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the Law and the prophets.” —Matthew 7:12

MATTHEW 5:17-20,46-48; 23:23-26

JESUS’ Sermon on the Mount, from which most of our lesson is taken, was not preached to the world in general, but to his disciples, those who had become his followers. These he was training to be his representatives, his ambassadors in the world. The scribes and Pharisees of that day, whom Jesus said sat in “Moses’ seat” were the religious teachers of Israel, and the representatives of God. (Matt. 23:2) But Jesus knew that these were proving themselves unworthy of this high position, and that God would soon recognize the disciples as his servants.

This is why Jesus said to them, “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a, bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light to all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”—Matt. 5:14-16

Some of the reasons given by Jesus as to why the scribes and Pharisees were being rejected as the representatives of God are set forth in Matthew 23:13-33. In this statement by Jesus the rejection of Israel’s religious leaders from their position of high honor is described as “woe” which would come upon them. It is a “woe” indeed for those who are called by God to serve him, to come short of the conditions of that call. This was the calamity which came upon the scribes and Pharisees.

In verse 23, for example, Jesus mentions that these religious leaders were very careful with respect to the matter of paying “tithe of mint and anise and cummin.” and yet they had “omitted the weightier matters of the Law, judgment, mercy and faith.” “These ought ye to have done,” he said, “and not to leave the other undone.” The contrast here is between the out ward forms of the Law, and the true principles of righteousness which they were designed to inculcate in the hearts and lives of those who practiced them.

“Judgment [or justice], mercy and faith,” The life that is governed by these is one that God can use in his service. It is a matter of being just in all our dealings with others, yet being merciful toward those who may deal unjustly with us. And the exercise of faith brings every detail of life into proper focus; faith, that is, in God and in his overruling providences in our lives. If we lack faith in God we will want to take matters into our own hands and “get even” with those whom we think have injured us. Lacking faith, one overlooks the Lord’s instructions, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay.”—Rom. 12:19

Jesus said, “Except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.” (Matt. 5:20) The righteousness [Dr. Strong defines this Greek word as “justification”] of the scribes and Pharisees was based on their own faulty effort to keep the Law. From Jesus’ appraisal of them we could even say hypocritical efforts. The “righteousness” of Jesus’ disciples, on the other hand, is based primarily on their faith, a faith that leads them to recognize the need of the atoning blood of Christ, and causes them to put themselves fully in the hands of the Lord, devoting their all to his service.

With such a faith the followers of Jesus will recognize the rightness of his ways, and the justice of his standards of righteousness in their dealings with others. In all their contact with others they will practice the Golden Rule. Indeed, instead of merely doing unto others as they would like others to do unto them, they will go further than this; for they will gladly lay down their lives for others, especially in giving them the opportunity to know the Lord by proclaiming to them the glad tidings of the kingdom.

However, the practice of justice and mercy and the adherence to all the other high standards of righteousness set forth by Jesus, are but the necessary background for bearing witness to the truth. Proclaiming the Gospel of the kingdom without bringing our own lives into harmony with the righteousness of the kingdom, would dishonor God, rather than glorify our “Father which is in heaven.”—Matt. 5:16

QUESTIONS

To whom did Jesus preach his Sermon on the Mount, and what was its purpose?

Why were the scribes and Pharisees rejected as God’s representatives?

What were the “weightier matters of the Law” referred to by Jesus?

Can we be acceptable ministers of the truth without adhering to the principles of divine righteousness?

| Home Page | Table of Contents |