The issue of justice has been very much before us this week. This afternoon the Roman Catholic Church has a guest speaker on the topic of "Eucharist and Justice". Their Parish Bulletin today has another reference to "Our Dialogue of Justice", which is concerned with the problem of the third world debt.

However, the major issue in the media over the past few days has been the sentencing of three young men who confessed to the kidnapping and pack rape of two teenage girls. Judging by the response on talkback radio, and in the press, a great many of the public were incensed at the leniency of the sentence that was handed down. Over and over again the opinion was expressed that justice had not been done in that the extent of the punishment in no way matched the horrendous nature of the crime. From what information I have gleaned on the matter, I believe they may be right.

As a number of commentators have observed, this particular case has highlighted a problem that appears to be widespread in the community at large. The perception is that justice in our city has been greatly depreciated and that many criminals are not being given the punishment they deserve, or are escaping punishment altogether.

The problem is not only with the judiciary, and the sentences they impose. it is found in the Police force, at least at upper levels, and it is found amongst our politicians. There has also been a sizeable outcry recently about a perceived lack of justice in some areas of industry. In fact, virtually every area of our society has problems of injustice, to some extent.

The cry for justice is deeply embedded in the human psyche. It is found in very diverse cultures around the world. It surfaces very early in little children. Even though legal and moral standards may differ widely, a sense of justice is always there, just beneath the surface.

The reason for this is that it is a core value in the nature of God, and was implanted in all humans who were made in His image. It is a quality that distinguishes us from the rest of the animal kingdom. Our inate sense of justice is simply one more piece of evidence that "we are His offspring."

Many times in Scripture our God is described as being just, and on who "loves righteousness and justice". (eg Ps 33:5) For this reason He commanded His people that they were to exercise justice in theire dealings with one another, especially in their dealings with the alien, the fatherless and the widow. In fact, the person who withheld justice from one of these disadvantaged groups was cursed. (Deut 27:19)

Many of the condemnations that God brought against His people through the prophets had to do with the lack of justice in their community. And a recurring element in the promises of a coming Messiah was that he would bring justice to the poor of the earth. (Is 11:4) That justice would not only be for God's own people, it would also include "justice to the nations." (Is 42:1)
If we are sincere in following Messiah Jesus, we too must share in his concern for justice, and in his commitment to bring it to pass. We cannot simply hide in our cave and pretend that the problem belongs to somebody else.

In years gone by, Christians were at the forefront in fighting for justice for the oppressed. In issues such as the abolition of the slave trade, the abolition of child labour, andm ore recently, the abolition of apartheit, it was Christians who led the way. There are new challenges before us today. Let us grasp them.

John Davies
19 August 2001