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Justice Lessons from the Gospel of John

Justice Lessons from the Gospel of John

Last updated on: April 30, 2026 at 10:43 am by Herb Montgomery

Justice Lessons from the Gospel of John 2026-04-30T10:43:56-04:00 Herb Montgomery

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This has direct implications for us, today. Jesus’ life consistently moved toward those pushed to the margins, those excluded by systems of power and privilege. He touched those labelled by society as untouchable. He ate with those stigmatized by others. He confronted structures that burdened them while protecting the powerful. If Jesus is “the way,” then the path of the Divine is not found in abstract doctrine, but in participating in these same actions of restorative justice and radical inclusion.

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This is Part 3 of the series Justice Lessons from the Gospel of John

(Read this series from its beginning here.)

“The truth,” in John, is not merely correct information; it is unveiled reality. Jesus exposes the lies that sustain injustice. He exposes the myth that some lives matter more than others, the illusion that domination brings peace, the belief that the Divine endorses systems of exclusion. In embodying truth, Jesus disrupts these narratives and invites us into a different vision of community, one rooted in mutual care, a firm grasp on our diverse humanity, and our liberation from a status quo that does harm.

“The life” that Jesus offers in our reading is not about what comes after death. It is a present, tangible experience of justice that emerges wherever love, compassion, and inclusion take root. When Jesus followers organize for things like fair wages, challenge racial injustice, gender discrimination, or LGBTQ exclusion, protect the vulnerable, and create spaces of belonging for those presently being excluded, they are participating in that life. They are aligning themselves with the Divine as revealed in John’s Jesus.

Jesus’ response to Philip, “Don’t you know me?” can be heard as a challenge to us as well. We may claim devotion to Jesus while missing the clearest revelation of the Divine in Jesus’ life and work. To see Jesus is to see a God who sides with the oppressed, who confronts injustice, and who calls us into solidarity with those on the underside of power.

In this light, following “the way” is not about securing access to the sacred or the Divine; it is about embodying God’s justice in the world. It is about becoming, together, a living reflection of the Divine compassion, love and justice Jesus modeled in the stories.

Lastly, in our reading this week, belief is not framed as mere assent to doctrine but as expressed through action. Jesus points to “the works” as evidence. He points to tangible acts of healing, restoration, and liberation. In our context today, this reframes faith as participation in the ongoing work of mending the world. To believe in Jesus, then, is to embody his commitment to those pushed to the margins, to confront systems that diminish human dignity, and to practice a love that is public, courageous, and transformative.

The promise that believers will do “even greater things” is not about spectacle or power for its own sake, but about the multiplying impact of collective action. As communities organize for justice, and as they address discrimination, racism, exclusion, and environmental harm, they continue the trajectory of Jesus’ work on a broader scale. The language of asking in Jesus’ name invites us to align with his character and mission. It’s not a blank check for personal desire but calls for discernment. Are our hopes rooted in the flourishing of all? Praying in Jesus’ name, then, connects our commitment and our collective actions. It means committing ourselves to the work of shaping our world into a safe, compassionate, just home for everyone.

How does this week’s reading invite you to move beyond simply believing in or worshiping Jesus? What actions or changes does it call you toward?

Begin each day being inspired toward love, compassion, justice and action. Free.

General Christian

Politics and Religion

About Herb Montgomery

Herb Montgomery, director of Renewed Heart Ministries, is an author and adult religious educator helping Christians explore the intersection of their faith with love, compassion, action, and societal justice. You can read more about the author here.

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May 5, 2026 Love Expressed in Actions Related to Justice

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