IF JESUS SPOKE AGAINST INJUSTICE, YOU SHOULD TOO

We take pride in saying that the Philippines is a Christian nation in Asia. But it’s ironic that even though many of us go over the top in being religious, corruption and injustice are blatantly rampant in our country. What’s even more problematic is the fact that in times when injustice becomes so obvious, believers often play it safe “somewhere over the rainbow” and just remain silent! Some say that these issues are considered “secular” or “worldly,” and so being involved in them is “unChristian.” Others argue that since we are citizens of the Kingdom of heaven, social and political issues are no longer our concern because we don’t really belong here.

It seems that such a way of thinking is not Christ-like, for Christ Himself did not stay silent but spoke against unfairness. Here are just some of the passages in the Gospels where we can see Christ’s righteous anger against injustice and exploitation:

In Matthew 23:4, He condemned the leaders who burdened people with unfair rules (“They tie up heavy, cumbersome loads and put them on other people’s shoulders,”) while avoiding the responsibility of easing them (“but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.”).

In Matthew 23:23 / Luke 11:42, He spoke against religious leaders who were strict in tithing yet neglected what truly mattered. This shows that Christ was never impressed by outward religiosity; rather, He emphasized “justice, mercy, and faithfulness.”

In Luke 20:47, Christ denounced those who “devour widows’ houses,” declaring that they “will be punished most severely.” In their society, widows were among the most vulnerable since they had no husbands to provide for them. Christ’s concern for the marginalized and His outrage at those who oppressed them was unmistakable.

In Luke 22:25–26, Christ contrasted oppressive leadership with servant-leadership, teaching that greatness is found in serving others.

In the story of the woman caught in adultery (John 8:1–11), Christ rescued the woman from an unjust trial fueled by the hypocrisy of religious leaders by declaring, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.”

In the famous account of the cleansing of the Temple (Matthew 21:12–16; Mark 11:27–33; Luke 19:45–46), Christ didn’t just rebuke the merchants—who were most likely exploiting those who came to worship—He drove them out and overturned their tables! He explained that they had turned the house of prayer into a “den of robbers,” echoing Jeremiah 7:11, which referred to people who oppressed foreigners, orphans, and widows (v. 7) yet still sought safety in the Temple (v. 10). For Christ, gentle words were not enough for abusers; they had to be publicly called out as “robbers” and forcefully expelled. Jesus did not play safe. If He were to do the same today, many would probably bash Him for being “too unChristian” or “not Christ-like.”

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These are just a few examples of Christ standing against abuse and injustice. Since “whoever mocks the poor shows contempt for their Maker” (Proverbs 17:5), we should not expect Christ to remain silent in such matters. He spoke of the Kingdom of God and taught us to pray, “Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10). Therefore, we must promote Kingdom values in the same way He did. And those who sincerely follow Him must learn from His example. Stay Curious.