Biblical Justice 2: Justice In The Testaments – From Old To New (Traditional)

READ | SERMON NOTES

Summary l The second sermon in the Biblical Justice Sermon Series looks at scripture evidence for justice in the Old and New Testaments. Deuteronomy 15 gives instructions for cancelling debts and caring for the poor, while Luke 14:12-14 is Jesus’ call for radical hospitality and justice to the marginalised. In Generous Justice, Timothy Keller refers to biblical justice as a gracious and generous justice empowered by our experience of grace. Bible Project’s video on Justice defines Righteousness as treating others with the innate dignity that all God’s people deserve, while Justice refers to restoring and meeting the needs of the vulnerable. God’s justice is more than fairness; it is about faithfulness to His covenant and restoration of broken people and systems. Justice is woven into God’s covenant relationship with His people and is central to Jesus’ mission. It calls for radical generosity, inconvenient compassion and faithful action.

A. Justice in the Old Testament (Deuteronomy 15:1-11)
Deuteronomy 15 provides instruction for the Year of Release – a system of caring for the needy in Israel. It depicts a community of justice where God’s people help the poor until their need is eliminated. This law commanded Israel to cancel debts every seven years and care for the poor.

Justice is restoring right relationships between people and with God. Justice is always rooted in redemption. The point of Israel’s laws (on gleaning, debt release, land return) was to remind them how God has freed them from slavery, hence they were to model God’s freedom and generosity. Justice reorders our view of ownership of our resources. It teaches us to generously release our resources to God with open hands and ensure that others have enough.

Many other passages in the Old Testament also advocate justice.

1. The Prophets denounced empty worship that neglected social justice (Amos 5:21-24). Justice involves advocacy for the marginalised, vulnerable and powerless (Isaiah 1:17). Justice is a lifestyle, not only a law. It reflects God’s nature and requires faithfulness to God’s heart.
2. The Mosaic Law has many provisions to protect the poor, foreigner, widow, and orphan. (Leviticus 19:15; Deuteronomy 24:17-22) It reflects a society based on equity and compassion, with laws for structural and ethical justice.
3. Wisdom literature emphasises that justice is a moral commitment that pleases God and strengthens community. It requires personal integrity and social ethics (Psalm 82:3-4 ; Proverbs 31:8-9).

B. Justice in the New Testament (Luke 14:12-14)
Jesus broadens the scope of justice in the New Testament. Instead of cancelling debts every seven years, He cancelled sin at the cross and shows us unlimited hospitality at His eternal feast. Jesus reveals the character of Kingdom justice: to invite those that society has forgotten and show radical generosity. Because this is what God has done for us in Christ!

Jesus’ justice restores dignity and belonging. It is transformational hospitality without expecting reciprocity. There are four characteristics of Biblical Justice:

1. Not transactional – it is radically generous and non-reciprocal. It calls for sacrificial care and integrity to do the right thing when there is no extrinsic benefit.
2. Uplifts the marginalised – because Jesus sees their need and has special compassion for them.
3. Imitates God’s generosity – because God generously invites the undeserving.
4. Disrupts social norms – Jesus’ Kingdom values disrupt comfort. They call for radical inclusion and faithful love in action to the marginalised.

God’s heart for justice is Christ-centred, community-shaped, compassion-driven and counter-cultural. To show justice is to live out God’s mercy and truth.

Jesus inaugurated the Kingdom of God by quoting Isaiah 61 at the start of His ministry (Luke 4:18-19). Jesus fulfils the law and embodies justice (Matthew 5:17). He shows us what justice looks like in action through healing, forgiving, including, feeding. Jesus teaches that true religion must include justice, mercy and faithfulness (Matthew 23). Jesus’ justice brings healing and wholeness to individuals by loving and restoring people.

Many other New Testament passages advocate justice.

1. Justice is love in action; caring for the marginalised is evidence of true spirituality (James 1:27).
2. Justice demands impartiality in treating all people with dignity (James 2:9).
3. Justice involves community care and radical generosity, just as the early church practised economic justice by redistributing wealth to meet needs (Acts 2:44-45).
4. Justice breaks down human barriers and includes all people (Galatians 3:28).
5. Justice includes empathy, peace-making and non-retaliation (Romans 12:15-18).

Old Testament justice is tied to covenant obedience and living as God’s set apart people. New Testament justice is motivated by the cross. Jesus’ sacrificial love creates a new community of justice and peace. We are empowered by Jesus’ grace: justified through Jesus’ righteousness to live out God’s justice.

C. What Does Justice Look Like Today?

Justice transforms communities.
1. Personal: it starts with our hearts and homes, doing good with integrity and not to ‘look good’. Justice is a mark of Chrisitan maturity.
2. Communal: it reshapes how we live together. Justice calls us to live like Jesus especially in the way we treat the needy.

Here are some practical steps to show generosity
1. Personal generosity: with our resources, financially or emotionally.
2. Communal hospitality: inviting and including others.
3. Active advocacy: speak up for the marginalised, challenge unjust systems that perpetuate oppression.

We are saved by grace and sent to reflect Jesus’ justice and compassion to all.

(Sermon notes by Bryan Tan)

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PONDER | REFLECTION QUESTIONS

1. Study Scripture

Read Deuteronomy 15:1–11 and Luke 14:12–14.

• What principles of justice are evident in these passages?
• How is God’s justice different from human ideas of fairness or charity?
• In Luke 14, why does Jesus instruct us to invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind? What does this say about God’s priorities?

2. Recall the Sermon

• What part of the sermon challenged or surprised you the most? Why?
• What helped you see justice in a new or deeper way?

3. Relate Personally

• Share a situation where you felt left out, unseen, or uninvited? How did that experience affect you?
• Have you ever been in a position where someone showed you unexpected generosity or grace? What impact did that have?
• Who are the “forgotten” or overlooked people in your daily life—at work, church, or in your neighborhood?

4. Commit to Action

• What is one practical step you can take this week to practice biblical justice—either through generosity, hospitality, or advocacy?
• Who in your life might be considered “uninvited” or on the margins? How can you extend hospitality or care to them?
• As a group, plan one initiative you can take in the next month that reflects God’s justice—such as volunteering, preparing a meal for a marginalised group, advocating for a cause, or supporting someone facing hardship.