Was Jesus Fair?

by SRBichara from www.sxc.hu

In America it seems we esteem the ideal of fairness.  We can be quick to claim we are not being treated fairly.  Church leaders are expected to treat everyone fairly, or they suffer criticism.

Yet, we should ask the question, “Do we define fairness the same way God does?”

In fact, it might be better to ask, “Was Jesus fair?”

Was he fair to the rich young ruler (Mat. 19:16-30) and the thief on the cross (Luke23:39-43)?  Was he fair to the other sick and suffering around the pool of Bethesda when he apparently walked through the crowd of “blind, lame, and paralyzed” to get to the 38 year old invalid whom he healed (John 5:2-9)?  Was he fair to the many other disciples when he selected 12 apostles?  What about to the other 9 when he often gave special time to the inner circle of Peter, James, and John?  Some have suggested that Jesus was fair when he fed the multitude in that all got fed and had enough.  But in a discussion of this one brother, who has obviously been around church meals too much, opined, but what if you didn’t like fish!

The point is that Jesus was not fair as we typically define fairness in our American culture. So, if Jesus wasn’t fair, as we typically think of fairness, then what was He?

I studied the words in the Bible which are used to translate “justice.”  Both in the OT and NT these concepts are tied together.  There are basically two components of this idea of justice and fairness in the Bible:

A.  One carries a legal side and involves the idea of judgment and doing what is proper and fitting.  It has to do with conduct towards others and their rights.  (See references and terms in notes)

B.  The other term sometimes rendered “justice” carries the meaning of righteousness, upright, or acceptable to God.  (see references and terms in notes)

A key passage is Amos 5:24 where both hebrew terms are used, “But let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.”

So if Jesus wasn’t fair, then what was he?

Jesus operated on the principles of grace and truth (John 1:17).  He sought to treat people with grace and mercy, yet also he spoke and demanded obedience to truth.  He often did for one or a small group what he couldn’t or chose not to do for all because it met his purpose.  To put his actions in terms of what we learned above, Jesus acted justly and uprightly toward every person.

What does this mean for our actions?

You are going to fail at treating everyone fairly as the world says you should.  Teachers, coaches, preachers, elders, and parents should desire to follow the golden rule and treat others fairly, but we will fail, if it means giving to all equal and the same treatment.

But a Christian committed to justice and righteousness will seek through prayer and wisdom to treat everyone just and right.  There is a difference.  In our conscience before God we have to be comfortable with how we have treated others.

This means the objection that says, “if we can’t do it for all, then we can’t do it for one” doesn’t hold water.  But rather, we often should do for one what we would like to do for all.  

Let me challenge you to consider this truth when your feelings are hurt because you felt you were treated unfairly.  Realize there could be much more to the story than you realize.  Ask yourself, “Is the person trying to do what is right and just?”  If they are, give them respect and grace.  I guarantee you that you will be in similar situations and you will need others to understand your actions as well.

There is much more to this topic.  What can you add?

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Notes:

1) Much of the thoughts for this post came from Andy Stanley’s new book Deep and Wide and also from comments of his on his Leadership Podcasts in various episodes.

2)  Some of the thoughts were taken from our men’s class which discussed this topic.

3)  Here is the further verse references:

1. HB (mishpat) GR (krisis) – Judgment, attribute of judgment, what is proper or fitting.  It has to do with conduct towards others and their rights.  See – Gen. 18:25, Ex. 23:6, Deut. 10:18, 16:19, 32:4, 2 Sam. 8:15,  Matt. 23:23, Luke 11:42
2. HB (tzedeq), GR (dikaiosune) – righteousness, upright, acceptable to God.  See – Lev. 19:36, Deut. 16:20, 33:21, Mat. 5:6, 20, 6:33; Acts 10:35, Heb. 11:33