We say we are a people of hope. Other
belief systems would also argue they offer people hope. The Eastern mystic
longs for release from the constraints of a physical existence to a future of
eternal bliss in a spiritual realm. How is the hope we offer different to that
of other worldviews?
Our salvation story is grounded in the
reality of the relationships found in the Creation account of Genesis 1-3.
Christians are not promised a future eternity where disembodied spirits float
around in a permanent state of bliss or sit on clouds playing harps – if, in
fact, disembodied spirits can hold harps. Our hope is expressed in 2 Peter
3:13: "… we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home
of righteousness". In the Old Testament righteousness and justice go hand
in hand. They are at the foundation of God's throne (Ps 89:14; 97:2). A
righteous God loves justice (Ps 99:4). He delights in 'kindness, justice and
righteousness" (Jer 9:24). It is the righteous who will inherit the land
(Ps 37:29). "The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked
have no such concern" (Prov.28:7).
Sin destroyed the right relationships that
existed in Eden. Eventually God delivered the Israelites from the oppression
and injustice of Egypt to establish them as a beacon of righteousness to a
world in darkness (Deut.4:5-8). Israel's failure to uphold the principles of
justice enshrined in their Covenant with God resulted in their expulsion from
the Promised Land. Despite Israel's failure God continued to hold out the
promise of one who would bring justice to the nations (Is. 9:7; 11:4; 32:1;
42:1-4; 51:4,5).
Jesus announced his mission to the world in words that reflect
Isaiah 61:1,2: "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed
me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the
prisoners and recovery of sight to the blind, to release the oppressed, to
proclaim the year of the Lord's favor" (Lk. 4:18,19). Jesus had the highest
regard for the Old Testament, which was know in His day as the Law and the
Prophets. Jesus claimed He was the fulfillment of the Old Testament Scriptures.
Heaven and earth may pass, said Jesus, but the smallest point of the Law will
remain until all is fulfilled (Mt 5:17). In John 5:39,40 Jesus rebukes the Jews
for searching the Scriptures that testify of Him and yet failing to accept Him.
In Luke 24 on two different occasions following His resurrection Jesus
"explained to them [His disciples] what was said in all the Scriptures
concerning himself" (Lk 24:27,44,45). Our hope today resides in this same
Jesus, the promised Messiah who will rule the nations with righteousness and
justice, thus restoring the harmony that existed between humanity and creation
in the beginning (Ehp. 1:10; Col. 1:20).
The world cries out for justice. Economic
inequality, trade laws that favor the rich and powerful, exploited labour
forced to work in sweatshop conditions without the protection of health and
safety legislation, refugees fleeing persecution with no one willing to grant
them a home, children forced into prostitution, and child labour are just some
of the symptoms of our sin-sick world. While the factors that contribute to
global terrorism may be complex, I have no doubt that the hopelessness and
despair created by poverty and the continued existence of Palestinian refugee
settlements is a significant factor.
In the Old Testament disease, famine and
bloodshed were the consequences of injustice. The spiritual condition of the
people was reflected in the condition of the land. Perhaps the greatest
injustice of our time is the wanton destruction of the natural environment. In
the short term it is often the poorest and most powerless members of the human
family who suffer the immediate consequences of the callous greed of others. In
the long-term, future generations face a diminished existence as a result of
the destructive ways of current generations.
In words that ring with relevance to the
modern world, God spoke to ancient Israel through the prophet Hosea:
Hear the word of the Lord,
you Israelites, because the LORD has a charge to bring against you who live in
the land: "There is no faithfulness, no love, no acknowledgement of God in
the land. There is only cursing, lying, murder, stealing and adultery; they
break all bounds, and bloodshed follows bloodshed. Because of this the land
mourns, and all who live in it waste away; the beasts of the field and the
birds of the air and the fish of the sea are all dying" (Hos. 4:1-3).
Two things have not changed throughout the
course of human history – the nature of God and the condition of the
unregenerate human heart. Rebellion against God produces the same social and
environmental consequences today as it did in the time of Hosea.
I am drawn to a Saviour who has a passion
for justice and who offers the only lasting solution to the injustices of our
world. I have great respect for those who through peaceful protest, organised
campaigns, and their support for people and organisations working to alleviate
injustice, seek to make the world a better place. Many of these fail to see the
Church as relevant and I ask why. Is the Church seen as being more interested
in maintaining the status quo? Are we as Christians too caught up in the service
of consumerism? Or is the Christ we proclaim merely a pale reflection of the
genuine and our message one of escapism? It is appropriate for the Church to
relate prophecies such as those of Matthew 24 to world conditions as signs of
the soon coming return of Jesus. We present the prophecies to appeal to
people's anxieties and present Jesus as the way out. We make no clear
connection between global conditions, our sin and the Christian mandate to work
for justice. If we are to properly represent Jesus to the world we will follow
the example of His ministry. Jesus worked to alleviate human suffering,
challenged the unjust social, religious and political structures of His day,
and preached the gospel of God's grace. To do less is to present a distorted, narrow
picture of Christ. The gospel without a charter of social engagement is simply
another form of escapism.
It is the Law and the Prophets that testify
of Jesus Christ. These clearly articulate God's principles of justice. We can
share our hope in Jesus in terms of his coming to reign with righteousness and
justice and relate current social and environmental conditions to the
consequences of our rebellion against God's principles. This message, I believe, has relevance and
urgency in its appeal to peoples of all nations to "Worship him who made
the heavens, the earth, the sea and springs of water" (Rev. 14:7).
(March
2008)
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