Have you seen the news lately? Over the last three months have we dealt with a new, fast-spreading virus, thousands of deaths, lockdowns by local governments, the closing of many businesses, job losses, and several senseless killings. Many people have been protesting in response to the killings, and the protests, at times, have turned violent and destructive. People are hurting and they want to respond to the injustice. The question we face is how should we respond? We are starting a three part series looking to answer that question by looking at how Jesus taught us how to respond to injustice. 

We can easily look at our American justice system and call it flawed and unfair. The Jews in Jesus’ time could have said the same in regards to the Roman laws they had to live under. We first get a glimpse of this Roman rule in Luke 2.

“At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. He took with him Mary, to whom he was engaged, who was now expecting a child.” (Luke 2:1-5)

This census may have seemed unnecessary or unfair or as a greater reach for control over people, but we don’t read about Joseph rebelling against the decree. Mary was expecting her first child and now she wouldn’t get to have her baby in her hometown with the support of her family around her. Joseph and his young wife had to make the 70-mile journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem, and they obeyed. From the very beginning we see that the oppressive, unjust rule of the Romans was not going to foil God’s plan.

During His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus taught a great deal about how His followers should respond to injustice. When teaching about what to do if you were to be sued, Jesus didn’t say to countersue, or give only the minimum of what was required.

“If you are sued in court and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat, too.” (Matthew 5:40)

Jesus often taught to give more than what was asked. At the time Jesus gave this sermon, a Roman soldier could demand a Jewish person carry his gear for him. It was a requirement and you couldn’t say no, but you were only required to carry it for a mile, not a step further. Unfair? Yes. Unjust? Yes. Here’s how Jesus told His followers to respond to such injustice.

“If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile, carry it two miles.” (Matthew 5:41) 

Give more than what is asked of you. Jesus taught that if you were ordered to carry a soldier’s gear for a mile, to not just walk one mile, but to go two. It’s where we get the phrase, “go the extra mile.” Jesus doesn’t tell His followers to argue with the soldier, or to carry it for half a mile, or to fight back against an unfair and unjust rule. Jesus tells us to go the extra mile and in this obedience we will show the authorities who we ultimately serve. What does that mean for us? If we are given a law, we follow it and then some. Don’t push the limits or disobey the law just because you disagree with it. Jesus taught to not only obey, but to go the extra mile.

“Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished. For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you.” (Romans 13:1-3)

“For the Lord’s sake, submit to all human authority—whether the king as head of state, or the officials he has appointed. For the king has sent them to punish those who do wrong and to honor those who do right.” (1 Peter 2:13-14)

As followers of Christ, under the oppression of the Roman government at the height of the persecution of Christians, Paul and Peter wrote these words. This is how all Christ followers should be responding to authority.

Jesus’ teachings of peace and obedience were shocking to some who heard Him because some people expected the Messiah to come and lead a rebellion against the Romans. It was an oppressive regime and many thought the messiah would lead with a sword and destroy the unjust rulers. They were hoping for a military leader who would overcome their enemies with violence. But while some people expected Jesus to pick up a sword, He picked up a cross. We don’t see Jesus railing against rules and laws, we see Him calling us to obey even beyond what is required by the law. We don’t see Jesus leading with violence but with peace.

“You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.” (Matthew 5:43-48)

It’s easy to love only those who love you— anybody can do that—but Jesus has called His followers to rise above that by loving our enemies and being kind to everyone. How should we respond to the injustice we see? Obey the laws given to you, respect and submit to the authorities over you, give more than is demanded of you, go the extra mile, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you. Remember that God gives sunlight to the evil and the good and He sends rain on the just and unjust alike. Jesus never called for violence and disobedience. He called for peace, love, and an obedience that goes the extra mile. 

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

—Redeemed