“Where’s Papa going with that ax?” said Fern to her mother as they were setting the table for breakfast. “Out to the hoghouse,” replied Mrs. Arable. “Some pigs were born last night.” “I don’t see why he needs an ax,” continued Fern, who was only eight. “Well,” said her mother, “one of the pigs is a runt. It’s very small and weak, and it will never amount to anything. So your father has decided to do away with it.”
“Do away with it?” shrieked Fern. “You mean kill it? Just because it’s smaller than the others?” Fern pushed a chair out of the way and ran outdoors. The grass was wet and the earth smelled of springtime. Fern’s sneakers were sopping by the time she caught up with her father. “Please don’t kill it!” she sobbed. “ITS NOT FAIR!!!” (emphasis added).
The above excerpt, as many of you might have recognized, is taken from a classic book that came out in the 50s, by E. B. White titled Charlotte’s Web. Joanna and I are reading through this book currently. It’s becoming one of her favorites.
For those that may have not read the book, still on edge, wondering if the little runt was axed or not, let me be the one to spoil it (SPOIL ALERT!) … The pig lives. Fern saved the little piglet. In her eyes, justice was upheld!
Justice. Fairness. Rightness (or righteousness). We all have a sense and standard for justice. We all see things happen in our world, communities, and personal lives, where we have silently yelled, “That’s not fair!” Where do we get this sense of fairness? Where does Fern get her sense of justice? Why does it feel wrong to just go out and kill the weak runt of the litter? Why is it wrong to kill another human being? Why is it wrong to steal another person’s belongings? Why is it unjust to exploit and ignore the poor (Prov. 14:31; 22:22-23).
Justice. We need it. We want it. At times, we demand it.
Come gather with the body of Christ this Sunday, as we take a look at the Justice of God together and hear God’s word on this monumental attribute of our Good God, the Judge.
Praying for you, LifeWay family. Take some time to read, reflect, and pray through Psalm 97:1-6 and/or Psalm 146:1-10.
Grace and peace,
Tim Kim