“And so upon you will come all the righteous blood that has been shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah.”
Matthew 23:35
The ancient world is often considered barbaric, yet you might say the very same thing about our world today. But at no time has God ever been indifferent to injustice, especially against the righteous. Jesus gives us a biblical “A to Z” of those who were killed for being faithful to God, from Abel, Adam and Eve’s second son, to Zechariah, a sixth-century Hebrew prophet.
Abel lived before Moses gave the Law of God to the Israelites, before any human government. But his mention means ultimate justice will not come from human government. Zechariah was murdered in a religious setting, likely by religious leaders who opposed him.
Ultimate justice will not come from religious institutions either. But God has always cared, and no injustice in any setting has gone unseen by Him.
You may have suffered injustice or violence in your home, in your school, in your workplace. God knows. Jesus’ rebuke here shows that He promises justice. As He forgives each of our sins, He also will address each time we’ve been sinned against.
Abel lived before Moses gave the Law of God to the Israelites, before any human government. But his mention means ultimate justice will not come from human government. Zechariah was murdered in a religious setting, likely by religious leaders who opposed him.
Ultimate justice will not come from religious institutions either. But God has always cared, and no injustice in any setting has gone unseen by Him.
You may have suffered injustice or violence in your home, in your school, in your workplace. God knows. Jesus’ rebuke here shows that He promises justice. As He forgives each of our sins, He also will address each time we’ve been sinned against.
Scripture Focus
Genesis 4:1-12
Insight
“He commanded us to preach… and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead.” (Acts 10:42)
Bible In A Year
- Isaiah 49-50
- Psalm 95
- Acts 18
