PREVAILING INJUSTICE: IT'S NOT FAIR!

October 13, 2010

PREVAILING INJUSTICE: IT'S NOT FAIR!

Luke 23:13-25

Laurie Norris

Central Truth

Jesus Christ, though innocent of all charges, was unjustly condemned to death on account of public demands, while a guilty man was set free.

[Pilate] said to them, "You brought this man [Jesus] to me as one who incites the people to rebellion, and behold, having examined Him before you, I have found no guilt in this man regarding the charges which you make against Him." And he released the man they were asking for who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, but he delivered Jesus to their will. (Luke 23:14, 25)

13 Pilate then called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people, 14 and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was misleading the people. And after examining him before you, behold, I did not find this man guilty of any of your charges against him. 15 Neither did Herod, for he sent him back to us. Look, nothing deserving death has been done by him. 16 I will therefore punish and release him.”^{1

23:16
Here, or after verse 19, some manuscripts add verse 17: Now he was obliged to release one man to them at the festival}

Pilate Delivers Jesus to Be Crucified

18 But they all cried out together, “Away with this man, and release to us Barabbas”— 19 a man who had been thrown into prison for an insurrection started in the city and for murder. 20 Pilate addressed them once more, desiring to release Jesus, 21 but they kept shouting, “Crucify, crucify him!” 22 A third time he said to them, “Why? What evil has he done? I have found in him no guilt deserving death. I will therefore punish and release him.” 23 But they were urgent, demanding with loud cries that he should be crucified. And their voices prevailed. 24 So Pilate decided that their demand should be granted. 25 He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, for whom they asked, but he delivered Jesus over to their will.

Footnotes

[1] 23:16 Here, or after verse 19, some manuscripts add verse 17: Now he was obliged to release one man to them at the festival

Everything about this passage makes us want to shout, "But it's not fair! It's not fair!" There was no charge against Jesus that stuck before the authorities, no wrongdoing of which He was deemed guilty, no breaking of the law. Yet, the will of the people prevailed in the court of public opinion; Pilate "caved" under pressure; and the holy and perfect Son of God was condemned to death as a common criminal. Meanwhile, a real criminal—a murderer no less!—was set free. It was the greatest of injustices—a mockery—an outright perversion of the law. How could the people be so blind? How could the authorities be so weak? It made no sense. It was UNFAIR.

As I reflect on these verses, I'm convicted and grieved as I consider my own response to unfairness in my life, contrasted with the backdrop of Jesus' undeserved sufferings, His subjection to false accusations, and ultimately, to the cruel sentence of death by crucifixion. When I am shown disrespect, when I am misjudged, when my reputation is slandered, when I don't receive the outcome I feel I deserve, when someone else steals the credit or recognition that was rightfully mine, when evil seems to prevail, when sin is rewarded, when someone else gets the position or the promotion—when things simply aren't FAIR—how do I respond?

In the face of wrongful accusation and unjust suffering, Jesus Christ entrusted Himself to the Father and laid aside His divine "prerogatives" (1 Peter 2:21-23 and Philippians 2:5-8). Should I expect better treatment in this world than my Lord? How subtle and enticing are the cultural voices of fairness, personal "rights," and entitlement that whisper constantly in our ears, "You DESERVE this." Jesus modeled for us that the Christian life has nothing to do with fairness or getting what we "deserve."

In fact, sometimes the path of obedience—the path to the cross—means the very opposite. It means surrendering my perceived rights and embracing unfair treatment and circumstances. As Jesus' disciple, hated for His sake in this world, I should expect nothing less.

1. As you read these verses, what ironies and injustices do you observe?

2. How would you describe Pilate's character in these verses? In what area(s) of your life are you similarly tempted to “buckle” under the pressure of public opinion, rather than stand with conviction for what you know to be true, just, and right?

3. How do you typically respond to the unfair and unjust circumstances in your own life?

4. How does the example of Jesus in the face of false accusation and unfair judgment offer a challenge, conviction, or correction to your natural tendencies?

FAMILY DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. What did Pilate decide he wanted to do with Jesus (verse 16)? What was the reaction of the crowd to Pilate's and Herod’s decision?

2. Do you sometimes go along with the crowd on decisions you have to make? Do you find yourself making bad decisions because it is what everyone else is doing?

3. What are some ways in which you can stand out from the crowd?