Demanding Justice
by Missionary (Apostle) Harry JacksonIntroduction:
Marches and demonstrations in the streets to bring about justice is not wrong. It is acknowledged by God, in the scriptures, in the New Testament. Marches and demonstrations in the street can be used to draw attention to injustices in society. But we also see in the scriptures that it is by the power of the Spirit of God and by His miracles, signs, and wonders that God used Jesus to bring about justice in the lives of people. Matthew 12;18-21 declares. Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment (justice) to the Gentiles. He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets. A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he sends forth judgment unto victory. And in his name shall the Gentiles trust. Matthew 12:18-21 Now let’s look at verse 19
He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets. Matthew 12:19 This verse gives us a picture of marches and demonstrations in the streets because of injustice. At the same time, this verse also tells us that Jesus’s way of bringing about justice would not be by him marching, crying, or striving in the streets because of the lack of justice. This verse is saying that Jesus's method of bringing about justice will not be by marching in the streets demanding justice. His method would be by the power of the Spirit of God that was placed upon life. Again, in verse18: Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my Spirit upon him and He shall shew judgment (justice) to the Gentiles. Matthew 12:18 God is not saying that these marches and demonstrations in the streets trying to bring |
about justice are wrong. God is saying that this wouldn’t be Jesus’s method in bringing about justice. Marching, demonstrations, and crying in the streets can be used to bring attention to injustices in society but it was not Jesus’s method. His method to bring about justice into people's lives was done by the power of the Spirit.
I will put my Spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment (justice) to the Gentiles. Matthew 12:18
Justice would be brought into people's lives and situations by the power of the Spirit of God and by God’s miracles, signs, and wonders that Jesus would do for them.
God acknowledges injustice in society. Now notice verse 20
A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he sends forth judgment unto victory. Matthew 12:20
A bruised reed shall he not break.
This statement describes people who have experienced injustices and abuses, who are almost at the breaking point. This looks like what is happening now in our society today and is being displayed in the streets of our nations.
I will put my Spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment (justice) to the Gentiles. Matthew 12:18
Justice would be brought into people's lives and situations by the power of the Spirit of God and by God’s miracles, signs, and wonders that Jesus would do for them.
God acknowledges injustice in society. Now notice verse 20
A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he sends forth judgment unto victory. Matthew 12:20
A bruised reed shall he not break.
This statement describes people who have experienced injustices and abuses, who are almost at the breaking point. This looks like what is happening now in our society today and is being displayed in the streets of our nations.
Smoking flax shall he not quench
This describes people whose light has almost gone out. Its like burning brush whose hope has been almost extinguished because of the injustices they have experienced. But the end of verse 20 declares... God will not stop until he sends forth justice unto victory! And in his name shall the Gentiles trust. The Gentiles will put their trust in him to bring about justice in their life situations by the power of God. And, God will not stop until he brings forth justice unto victory into the lives of the people that put their trust in Jesus. God cares about injustices and will right the wrongs of those who are suffering. But Jesus’s method was not by marching in the streets but by the power of God. |
God is saying that Jesus's method of bringing justice was not by marches and demonstrations and crying and striving in the street, which is by no means unscriptural) but he will bring justice by the power of his Spirit working in human injustices.
Justice Then
Now let’s look at Matthews 12 and see how God brought forth justice in the lives of people then. Because what God did for people then, he will do for us today!
Again, God is not saying by this scripture that marches and demonstrations in the streets because of injustices is wrong. God is saying that the way Jesus would bring about justice was by the power of the Spirit of God---by his miracles and wonders in the lives of people.
Now let’s look at Matthews 12 and see how God brought forth justice in the lives of people then. Because what God did for people then, he will do for us today!
Again, God is not saying by this scripture that marches and demonstrations in the streets because of injustices is wrong. God is saying that the way Jesus would bring about justice was by the power of the Spirit of God---by his miracles and wonders in the lives of people.
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Jesus Gave Them All Justice.
Now lets back up to verse 10 and see the texts in its setting. Here will see how Jesus brought justice to everyone.
And, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him.
The religious people were angry at Jesus because he healed a man with a withered hand on the Sabbath day. This was a day in which religion says you are not supposed to work…not even work wonders. But notice verses 11-15, Jesus says…
And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out? How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days. Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other.
Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him. But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from thence: and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all. Matthew 12:11-15
Now lets back up to verse 10 and see the texts in its setting. Here will see how Jesus brought justice to everyone.
And, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him.
The religious people were angry at Jesus because he healed a man with a withered hand on the Sabbath day. This was a day in which religion says you are not supposed to work…not even work wonders. But notice verses 11-15, Jesus says…
And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out? How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days. Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other.
Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him. But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from thence: and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all. Matthew 12:11-15
The religious Pharisees were upset with Jesus because he healed a man on the sabbath day. A man who has much more value than an animal like a sheep. So, because of the verse that we have been looking at in Matthew 12:19-21 Jesus heals everyone and gives justice. Remember our text is about God placing His Spirit upon Jesus to bring about justice.
Justice for All God is saying, it was not justice that a man who is better than an animal be born with a withered hand, and because of you religious men I am going to give justice to everyone who puts their trust in me. Jesus heals all. No matter what situation they faced, he gave justice to all. But he did it by the power of God. Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment (justice) to the Gentiles. Matthew 12:18 |
It was like Jesus said, “You are upset because I healed this one man, who should have both his hands well. This is only right and just. So, because of this, I am going to heal them all. I am going to give everyone justice in their situations. I am going to give justice to everyone who puts their trust in me.”
Jesus brought forth justice to this one man, who had only one hand and then brought justice to everyone who was sick. He did it by the power of the Spirit of God. God desires to give you justice. You may draw attention to the injustice by marching in the streets, but God is going to give you justice by the power of his Spirit working in your situation.
Your situation may not be a need for healing but by the power of the Spirit of God---by his miracles and wonders, God will bring justice to whatever your situation may be. Therefore, we believers who have the power of the Spirit of God upon us can be used by God to bring forth God’s justice to people.
Jesus brought forth justice to this one man, who had only one hand and then brought justice to everyone who was sick. He did it by the power of the Spirit of God. God desires to give you justice. You may draw attention to the injustice by marching in the streets, but God is going to give you justice by the power of his Spirit working in your situation.
Your situation may not be a need for healing but by the power of the Spirit of God---by his miracles and wonders, God will bring justice to whatever your situation may be. Therefore, we believers who have the power of the Spirit of God upon us can be used by God to bring forth God’s justice to people.
God cares about justice
He wants to bring justice to all. That’s why he healed every one of them no matter what their sick situation was. And God will not stop until he sends forth justice unto victory. And, in his name shall the Gentiles trust.
I was preaching in a small town in Oklahoma in a Sunday church service in early February of this year. The pastor’s grandbaby was born deaf. This is not justice. Every child born into the world should be able to enjoy the wonderful benefits of sound and hear it in stereo.
We prayed for the pastor’s grandbaby at church, at the altar. The family went home. the pastor was yelling at one of his sons because of something he had done. But the pastor’s grandbaby almost jumped out of his skin! His ears had opened. He heard sound for the very first time! They said it was wonderful! He is now responding to every sound.
They took the baby back to the doctors. They confirmed through medical testing that the baby who had never heard had received perfect hearing now. This is justice. God says he will shew justice to all that put their trust in him. Whether it is an unjust sickness or a situation in your life where you were done unjustly...The Lord declares:
Matthew 12:18
Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment ( justice) to the Gentiles.
When I was working years ago at a secular job. I was let go during Christmas time because of another employee’s gossip. It was a very difficult time for our family because the holiday season was approaching for our young family.
I had to take a temporary job during that time to try to make ends meet. I remembered being burdened at church about that situation. I lifted my hands in worship and sung praise through my injustice. As I did, I remembered opening my eyes and seeing the owner of our company standing right in front of me. We attended the same church. He told me he wanted to hire me back. He hired me back as the manager overseeing fifty employees with a significant pay increase. God brought justice to my situation through the power of the Spirit of God.
He wants to bring justice to all. That’s why he healed every one of them no matter what their sick situation was. And God will not stop until he sends forth justice unto victory. And, in his name shall the Gentiles trust.
I was preaching in a small town in Oklahoma in a Sunday church service in early February of this year. The pastor’s grandbaby was born deaf. This is not justice. Every child born into the world should be able to enjoy the wonderful benefits of sound and hear it in stereo.
We prayed for the pastor’s grandbaby at church, at the altar. The family went home. the pastor was yelling at one of his sons because of something he had done. But the pastor’s grandbaby almost jumped out of his skin! His ears had opened. He heard sound for the very first time! They said it was wonderful! He is now responding to every sound.
They took the baby back to the doctors. They confirmed through medical testing that the baby who had never heard had received perfect hearing now. This is justice. God says he will shew justice to all that put their trust in him. Whether it is an unjust sickness or a situation in your life where you were done unjustly...The Lord declares:
Matthew 12:18
Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment ( justice) to the Gentiles.
When I was working years ago at a secular job. I was let go during Christmas time because of another employee’s gossip. It was a very difficult time for our family because the holiday season was approaching for our young family.
I had to take a temporary job during that time to try to make ends meet. I remembered being burdened at church about that situation. I lifted my hands in worship and sung praise through my injustice. As I did, I remembered opening my eyes and seeing the owner of our company standing right in front of me. We attended the same church. He told me he wanted to hire me back. He hired me back as the manager overseeing fifty employees with a significant pay increase. God brought justice to my situation through the power of the Spirit of God.