I would like to call on Christians in Australia to pray for all our politicians regarding their stance on justice and mercy issues – the “weightier matters” of the Law. The Law of Moses was given to Israel after their nation-defining Exodus experience. Thus in Exodus-Deuteronomy the LORD kept reminding them of the fact that they were once in slavery and that God rescued them because he was compassionate and merciful. Although the Law contains many “moral issues” such as adultery, there are numerous references to justice and mercy. It is precisely because God rescued them from slavery that they were to show mercy to orphans, widows and aliens (= immigrants/refugees/asylum seekers of today).

However, the nation failed to keep the Law, thus the prophets – like Isaiah, Jeremiah, Amos, Micah, Zechariah – prophesied their exile because of (1) their idolatry and (2) their failure to do justice and show mercy to the poor and powerless. Hence in Isaiah 58 the prophet declared that their fasting was not acceptable to the LORD because they did not satisfy the needs of the oppressed and release the poor from their bondages. Indeed earlier the prophet said that the LORD had had enough of their religious festivals, prayers and offerings (= our worship services, prayer meetings and tithes) because they did not obey him and did not defend the cause of the vulnerable and disadvantaged (1:10-20).

Amazingly the Jews continued to fail to understand the Law even at the time of Jesus. In his final confrontation with the religious leaders Jesus issued seven woes against the Pharisees and the Scribes (who were supposedly the experts of the Law). In the middle of the seven (probably the most significant in the chiastic structure) Jesus said that they neglected the “weightier matters” of the law – justice, mercy and faithfulness – which echoed his earlier teaching when the Pharisees grumbled against his association with tax collectors and sinners, where Jesus said, “Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.'” After mentioning the seven woes against the religious leaders Jesus prophesied (in the manner of the Old Testament prophets!) about the destruction of the Temple – the religious and political centre of the Jews!

What a solemn reminder that today the church should speak up against social injustice. If there is a place for Christians to become politicians, their role would be to raise a “prophetic” voice on behalf of the Christian community.

Despite our repeated well performance in our economy, our Treasurer only increased our Foreign Aid budget by 0.01 per cent of our Gross National Income (to 0.26%) in our last Federal Budget (2004-2005). For a long period of time the Howard government refused to release children from detention centres, regardless of psychiatrists’ affirmation of the emotional damage this could cause on the children – the most vulnerable people in our society. (The Opposition does not say much about these in their election campaign either.)

It is time for Christian politicians to stand up for righteousness and proclaim the “weightier matters” of the Law. Jesus paid a great price to proclaim justice. The religious and political leaders of his days put him to death. He died a humiliating death on the Roman cross – which was a symbol of shame for criminals. This is the gospel. The Exodus language is found in Romans – the most detailed explanation of the gospel. We were “slaves” to sin and now we are to walk in the way of the LORD by the Holy Spirit. Just as the Exodus was the basis of the Law of Moses, our own “Exodus experience” (freedom from slavery to sin) is the basis of the righteous life we are to live. And this includes the way of the cross. May the grace of God and the Holy Spirit help us to do just that.

(Written on 11th October 2004)

——————————————– —————–

Siu Fung

Discover how everyone and everything in our world is connected, visit http://www.onebigvillage.com.au