Justice That Shines Like Dawn

 

We hear the word justice in all kinds of places. It might be in conversations about poverty, racism, inequality, even climate change. It might be in legal cases. And yet, for so many people, justice feels like something often talked about but rarely achieved. The reality is that for many people life seems to be full of injustice, and these people are often struggling already and they remain caught in a trap that they can’t rise up out of. 

And it’s into that reality that the Bible speaks with clarity and power. Our readings from Isaiah (58:6-11) and Matthew (25:31-46) remind us that justice isn’t an optional extra for God’s people. Justice isn’t just a nice added extra, and it’s not just something we think about but take no further, because it’s actually at the very heart of our worship and discipleship.

And Advent makes that message sharper still. Advent is certainly about waiting, but not about passive waiting and just hoping that something will happen. Instead, Advent is about active preparation. Isaiah says that when justice is practiced, light breaks forth like the dawn. Advent is that dawn. The promise that Jesus, the Light of the World, is near.

In that reading, Isaiah confronts a people who are ‘busy’ with religion. They are fasting, praying, worshipping – but they are also neglecting the poor. In the reading from Isaiah we heard, “Is not this the kind of fast I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice… to set the oppressed free… to share your food with the hungry, and bring the homeless into your house?” (Isaiah 58:6–7).

And that’s a challenge to us all… True worship is inseparable from justice. Our life as disciples of Jesus is inseparable from justice… Singing hymns on Sunday while ignoring the hungry on Monday makes no sense. God’s chosen fast is breaking chains and sharing bread. It is practical as well as spiritual – meaning that out worship must overflow into action.

Churches can be full of committees, services, and activity. But if we neglect the poor, our worship risks becoming inward looking, even self-indulgent. God, who calls us to love our neighbour surely wants prayers matched by compassion, lived out in love and service.

Advent is a great time to reflect on this. It’s a season where we often reflect on light shining in darkness – and the darkness not overcoming it. Lighting candles, singing carols, preparing nativity scenes are all beautiful things to do. But if our Advent devotion and preparation doesn’t lead us to justice, it’s hollow. Advent preparation means loosening chains and feeding the hungry.

Isaiah and Jesus both ground justice in practical acts: things like feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, welcoming the stranger. Isaiah says: “Share your food with the hungry, provide the poor with shelter.” (Isaiah 58:7). Jesus says: “I was hungry… thirsty… a stranger… naked… sick… in prison.” (Matthew 25:35–36).

These aren’t abstract theories. They’re everyday actions. Justice is lived, not just spoken.

And we are already doing some of this - through food banks, refugee support, prison visits, clubs and groups to support the lonely, debt advice and lots of other social action activities that our churches are involved in… But these aren’t “extra credit” for Christians. Jesus says they’re the very criteria by which we are judged. To love our neighbour, whoever that neighbour is, is non-negotiable.

And in Advent, these acts become signs of hope. Every meal shared, every welcome offered, every act of mercy is a candle lit against the darkness. A foretaste of the kingdom to come. An invitation for people to look at the Light of Christ more closely.

Matthew’s reading is radical. In it, Jesus identifies himself with the people who are really struggling. “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” To feed the hungry is to feed Jesus. To welcome the stranger is to welcome Jesus. To neglect the poor is to neglect Jesus.

And if we think like that, it inevitably changes how we see people. The homeless person isn’t a nuisance - they’re Jesus in disguise. The refugee isn’t a burden - they’re Jesus reaching out and seeking welcome. The prisoner isn’t forgotten - they’re Jesus awaiting a visit. Social justice isn’t charity. It’s an encounter with Jesus.

And Advent reminds us that Jesus comes not only at Bethlehem or at the end of time, but now. To prepare for his coming is to serve him in the poor.

And it’s important to recognise that Justice isn’t just duty. It’s actually life-giving. Isaiah promises that when we practice justice, blessings follow: “Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear… The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land.” (Isaiah 58:8,11).

Communities that care for the vulnerable experience renewal. Churches that embrace justice shine with credibility. Individuals who serve the poor often find satisfaction, joy and healing themselves. 

This isn’t saying that if we do good things then God will give us extra rewards, but rather it’s about a recognition when we seek to act as Jesus to others, we will learn something more about what life really means… Aligning ourselves with God’s heart for the oppressed brings true flourishing.

And that’s Advent hope: light breaking forth - shining in darkness, healing appearing, God guiding us in barren places. Justice is living Advent’s promise.

Matthew goes further, pointing to the final judgment. The sheep are welcomed into the kingdom because they lived kingdom values. The kingdom isn’t only future. It’s present wherever mercy is practiced. Every act of compassion is a foretaste of heaven.

So social justice isn’t trendy. It’s discipleship. It’s how we live as citizens of God’s kingdom here and now. Advent is kingdom time. We wait for Christ’s coming, but we live as if the kingdom is already here. Justice is how we embody that kingdom in the present.

And yes, we hear and perhaps even make excuses :

• “The problems are too big.” But Jesus calls us to small acts — feeding one person, welcoming one stranger.
• “We must focus on spiritual matters.” But Isaiah insists justice is the truest spirituality.
• “It’s not my responsibility.” But Matthew shows neglect is judged as seriously as active harm.

We can’t outsource justice to governments or charities. Every disciple is called to embody mercy. Advent strips away excuses. We can’t say we’re waiting for Christ while ignoring him in those who struggle.

History gives us examples: William Wilberforce, compelled by faith to fight slavery. Mother Teresa, seeing Christ in the dying poor of Calcutta. Local churches running foodbanks, offering debt advice, welcoming refugees. Each is an Advent story — preparing the way of the Lord through mercy.

And Isaiah reminds us justice includes creation care. Environmental damage harms the poor most. To live justly is to steward the earth. Planting trees, reducing waste, advocating for climate justice — these are acts of compassion and obedience. The coming of Christ renews all creation. To care for the earth is to prepare for that renewal. That’s Advent.

Some fear social justice distracts from evangelism. But feeding the hungry proclaims Christ’s love. Welcoming refugees witnesses to the gospel for all. Words alone are insufficient. Acts of mercy embody good news. Social justice is evangelism in action. In Advent, every act of mercy declares: “Come, Lord Jesus.”

So what shall we do? Let’s look at our worship: does it overflow into justice? Let’s identify local needs — hunger, homelessness, loneliness, refugees. Let’s celebrate what we’re already doing, but also ask, where can we do more? Volunteering, donating, advocating, welcoming, always praying.

And let’s see Christ in those who struggle. That’s what Jesus calls us to do - not to judge, but to love.

Justice isn’t a project. It’s a lifestyle. It’s how we follow Jesus. Faith without justice is dead. But justice rooted in faith brings life. God calls us to loose chains, feed the hungry, welcome the stranger. Jesus assures us that in doing so, we serve him. And the promise? Our light will shine, our communities will flourish, and we will inherit the kingdom prepared from the foundation of the world.

Advent reminds us: Christ is coming. To prepare for his coming is to serve him now. Every act of justice is an Advent act, making room for Christ.

So let’s be a people of justice — not just in words, but in deeds. Let’s see Christ in the least, serve him with compassion, and live as citizens of his kingdom. Because in the end, the measure of our faith won’t be the eloquence of our prayers, but the mercy of our lives. 

And here is the good news for Advent: as we step into justice, we do not walk into darkness alone. We walk toward a Light that is already rising. Christ is coming — the One who brings good news to the poor, who binds up the broken-hearted, who proclaims freedom for the captives. Every act of mercy is a way of clearing a little more space for his arrival. Every gesture of compassion is a lamp held up… 

Advent is not only a call to prepare the way; it is a promise that the Way himself is drawing near. And as he comes, he brings renewal, healing, and joy. The dawn Isaiah spoke of is not wishful thinking — it is already breaking over us. The kingdom Jesus describes is not far off — it is already taking root wherever love is lived.

So may we go into this Advent season with courage and expectation. May our worship overflow into justice. May our compassion become a signpost of hope. And may our lives shine with the light of Christ, until the day when justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like an ever‑flowing stream.

Come, Lord Jesus — and make us ready for your coming. Amen.