Reconciliation, Not Justice

Couples marry to remain married “until death do us part.” Sadly, some marriages sour, and the couple seek divorce. A Christian couple I know recently got divorced. They approached a lawyer, who, being Christian, said to them, “You can choose to divide everything equally. I can write the divorce agreement, which will only cost you my fee. Or you can choose to appoint your lawyers and go to a court. You’ll lose at least one-third of your wealth to the lawyers’ fees and court costs.” He was advocating reconciliation. Unfortunately, one of the spouses didn’t take the advice, resulting in them getting less than one-third of their wealth and losing the rest to lawyers and court fees.

The Lord Jesus referred to a similar situation.

“Who among you does not think to be just?” (Luke 12:57)

In any dispute, everyone thinks they are the just party, while the other is the unjust party. It is natural to believe we have a case, are just, and will win. But that might not be the case. So, Jesus said,

“As you go with your opponent to the ruler, on the way, try to work out (ergasia) a reconciliation with the opponent, lest you are dragged to a judge, and the judge hands you over to an officer, and the officer throws you in prison.” (Luke 12:58)

A better solution to seeking justice was “working out” reconciliation. Knowing the difficulty of reconciliation, the Lord used a word, ergasia, that comes from “work” (ergeo). Reconciliation is hard work. But if the disciples didn’t seek reconciliation but sought justice, they might not get justice. Instead, they might be dragged before a judge, found guilty, handed over to a jailor, and tossed into prison. Worse still,

“You will not get out of that prison until you have spent the last of the lepta (the smallest Roman coin) you had.” (Luke 12:59)

When one of my Christian friends in India went to prison for murdering someone (he was caught with the wrong crowd and did something he regretted), he received no food in prison. His family had to provide him with food; our church helped the wife and children. Similarly, ancient prisons didn’t have three square meals a day; the prisoner had to spend every little lepton s/he had to survive in prison.

Considering the cost of thinking oneself right and fighting for justice, seeking reconciliation was a better choice. Jesus wanted his disciples to seek reconciliation more than one’s right or justice.

We often hear, “That’s my right,” or “I want justice.” Paul taught the Corinthians, “I’d rather be wronged than to do wrong?” and “Why not be cheated rather than cheat someone else?” (1 Cor 6:7). More than justice, reconciliation and “giving in” are better options.