Crooked Will Be Made Straight

Each Passover season brings a period of introspection and self-examination, with different themes emerging annually—such as “peace,” “forgiveness,” or “bearing fruit.” This year, I reflected on another significant aspect: “enduring injustice,” as exemplified by Jesus’ experiences that led to His crucifixion. Our thoughts extend to current injustices in Ukraine, Gaza, and elsewhere, including personal struggles in marriages, workplaces, or other relationships. Jesus’ life, particularly during Passover, culminated in enduring injustices throughout His ministry.

Jesus demonstrated exceptional character throughout His life and ministry. As our “Captain of Salvation,” He led people spiritually with His teachings and actions while caring for their physical well-being by healing the sick, feeding the hungry, and even resurrecting the dead. These miraculous deeds and His compassion gained Him immense popularity among the common people.

Yet, this popularity was not mirrored by the religious leaders of His time, who held intense animosity towards Him. Despite their roles as spiritual guides and knowledge of scripture, their jealousy eclipsed any recognition of Jesus’ virtues. Their efforts to undermine Him included threats, disregard, and a campaign of hatred, even attributing His works to demonic forces. They mostly confronted Him as a group, acting like bullies, except for Nicodemus, who came privately to Christ seeking honest, respectful dialogue.

Their animosity climaxed when Jesus performed healings on the Sabbath—an act they condemned despite its compassionate nature. Then at His trial before crucifixion, they manipulated the truth, letting their hatred obscure the true understanding of His identity and mission.

Even after Jesus’ resurrection, these leaders denied His miracles and perpetuated lies about them. They exploited their positions for personal gain, imposed financial burdens on the people, and committed other moral wrongs. Jesus boldly denounced their hypocrisy on occasion, intensifying their animosity towards Him.

Betrayed by Judas for money, Jesus endured over three years of constant adversities during His ministry. The culmination of this, His crucifixion, instigated by the religious leaders’ desire for His death, presents a profound example of how Christ reacted to this abuse. Notably, the Roman authorities generally did not interfere; the religious leaders sought His demise. Throughout His betrayal and trial, Jesus remained composed, responding wisely or maintaining silence. His final words on the cross, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do,” encapsulated His teachings on loving enemies and praying for persecutors, highlighting His stance on non-retaliation. “Vengeance is Mine,” declares the Lord, reminding us of the divine justice He provides.

Reflecting on Jesus’ life underscores the path He sets for His followers: to preach the Gospel, commit acts of goodness, allow God to guide our paths, and extend forgiveness as Jesus did.

As we assess ourselves and consider our harsh realities, let us ponder these teachings as we prepare for the Passover. We continue the work of Jesus Christ in preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom of God—bearing witness, issuing warnings, and ultimately aiming to rectify all that is unjust.

In the end, God will correct what is unjust and corrupt. Isaiah prophesies that ultimately, in the Kingdom of God, “the crooked will be made straight” (Isaiah 45:2).

And the story of Jesus Christ ends well, too, in which the Apostle Paul states is the model and hope for all:

“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore, God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus, every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:5-11).