Mark Tabata’s Weekday Devotionals
Thursday June 25 2026
More Bible Studies Available @ http://www.marktabata.com. To Receive
Free Bible Studies And Updates Via Email, Contact Mark Tabata @ 606-216-1757 (SMS Only) or mailto:markatabata@gmail.com (Email). Follow me on Substack: http://substack.com/@marktabata. Also please visit my author page: http://amazon.com/author/marktabata
Isaiah 53:7-8 (ERV)-He was treated badly, but he never protested. He said nothing, like a lamb being led away to be killed. He was like a sheep that makes no sound as its wool is being cut off. He never opened his mouth to defend himself. 8 He was taken away by force and judged unfairly. The people of his time did not even notice that he was killed. But he was put to death for the sins of his people.
James and Janet (not their real names) had been through a series of horrible injustices. Their newborn baby had been taken from them; they had been falsely accused of terrible crimes and imprisoned; the authorities had committed a series of illegal actions in order to try and destroy their faith and family; and for several years they had been through the ringer of the court system.
Theirs is one of a multitude of stories which document how the human justice and court systems often fail in staggering ways. Sadly, we probably all know people like James and Janet who were treated terribly by those who should have been the first to protect and defend.
What are some lessons that we can learn from such events?
First, mankind’s knowledge of right and wrong, justice and injustice, are powerful evidences that God exists. You cannot have knowledge of something ‘right” or “wrong” without first having an understanding of justice. There is a law of morality imbedded within each human being. There are certain things that we know intuitively are objectively “right” and some things which are likewise “wrong.” Since you cannot have a law without a lawgiver, then the Divine Lawgiver (ie, God) exists.
Paul discussed this didn’t he?
Romans 2:15 (ERV)-They show that in their hearts they know what is right and wrong, the same as the law commands, and their consciences agree. Sometimes their thoughts tell them that they have done wrong, and this makes them guilty. And sometimes their thoughts tell them that they have done right, and this makes them not guilty.
Those who point to the problem of injustice in the world and argue that God doesn’t exist are defeated by their own argument: for the existence of evil points undeniably to the existence of God.
Second, human justice systems are good-when they do good! The Bible spends a great deal of time on the subject of topics that we often place under the category of “social” issues. A large part of these topics involve human courts of justice. Indeed, God gave a very detailed and advanced system of justice for the Jewish people in the Old Testament. While the Old Testament system was not perfect (in that it was designed for a specific people at a specific time and under specific circumstances), it contains principles of justice that we can learn from and adapt to our lives (Romans 15:4; 1 Corinthians 10:1-12).
Third, our Lord perfectly understands what it is to be tried unjustly. When He was arrested, Jesus was put through a mockery of a trial. The Jewish Sanhedrin committed numerous infractions that made their treatment of the Son of God beyond atrocious.
A study of both the Hebrew and Roman trials will establish beyond any doubt that Jesus was not given even the remotest semblance of a legal trial. On the contrary, He was the victim of an unholy, mob rule persecution, which resulted in His murder…. A careful analysis of all the Jewish laws in existence when Jesus was tried brings one to the conclusion that the entire proceedings were a mockery. Every protective law was ignored when dealing with Jesus. (Earle L. Wingo, The Illegal Trial of Jesus [Edited, illustrated and annotated], 22-42 (Kindle Edition); Ontario, CA; Chick Publications)
Wingo discovered at least eighteen illegalities about Jesus’ arrest and trial.
A casual review of what transpired should forever settle the validity of the sentence of death. Let the reader consider these salient facts, which cannot be disputed: 1. Jesus was unlawfully arrested because they had no warrant nor authority from the high priest, or anyone else, to take Him into custody. (See Chapter 7.) 2. He was illegally taken before Annas for private examination. Annas was neither a judge or high priest, but a mere politician in Judea. (See Chapter 8.) 3. The members of the Sanhedrin were disqualified to try Jesus because of their known enmity toward the prisoner; and because they had prejudged His case long before the trial had begun. (See Chapter 17.) 4. The Sanhedrin had no lawful right to assemble when they did-the night before the celebration of the Feast of the Passover. (See Chapter 9.) 5. The proceedings were void because when the trial started, no charges had been filed. 6. The Sanhedrin violated the Jewish laws by failing to produce the required two witnesses. (See Chapter 13.) 7. The Sanhedrin had no jurisdiction because Jesus was brought before them without a warrant of arrest. No court acquires jurisdiction over one’s person until he has been subjected to a legal arrest. 8. They failed to produce any witnesses to establish that Christ was not the Son of God. They should have proved, beyond a reasonable doubt, and to a moral certainty, that Jesus lied when He confessed to being the Son of God. 9. The proceedings were void because, without notice to the Accused, the charges were changed. He was first charged with the “blasphemy,” then with treason and sedition when before the Roman Governor. (See Chapter 10.) 10. The conviction was illegal in that the entire proceedings against Him were exparte-that is, one-sided, because they would not permit Him to call His witnesses to corroborate Him. (See Chapter 11.) 11. They unlawfully condemned Him to die on His Own admission that He was the Son of God. This was contrary to the Hebrew laws of evidence. (See Chapter 12.) 12. The Sanhedrin, contrary to the law, concluded His trial on the same day, when it was required to last at least two days. (See Chapter 14.) 13. The conviction was void because He was denied His right to set forth His defense to the charges made against Him. (See Chapter 18.) 14. There was a unanimous verdict of guilty, and, under the Hebrew laws, a unanimous verdict amounted to an acquittal of the Accused. (See Chapter 16.) 15. They had no lawful right to take Christ before Herod for trial because there were no charges preferred against Him while He was before King Herod. In spite of this error, Herod did not condemn Jesus for any crime. 16. Christ was unlawfully condemned to die because the Sanhedrin had no lawful right to condemn anyone to death unless that sentence was approved by the Roman Governor. 17. The Hebrew laws operated to acquit Christ when He was before the Sanhedrin. He should have been released instead of being taken before Pilate. Having proved nothing, the Sanhedrin unlawfully took Him before the Roman Governor for the approval of their unlawful conduct. 18. Pilate tried four times to release Jesus by declaring that he did not find Him guilty of any offense. In spite of this, they murdered Him upon Calvary. These eighteen serious law-violations were spitefully committed by that group of evil-minded men who, in order to be rid of Jesus, were willing to stoop to murder. (Earle L. Wingo, The Illegal Trial of Jesus [Edited, illustrated and annotated], 905-924 (Kindle Edition); Ontario, CA; Chick Publications)
We can take solace in knowing that God fully understands the unjust circumstances that we endure.
Fourth, knowledge of the injustices in the world should prompt Christians to advocate for change and justice. We do not sit idly and complain about the injustices of the world around us. Instead, God calls us to action!
Matthew 5:13-16-You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. 14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
God calls His people to be the salt of the Earth. What does salt do? It seasons (Mark 9:49). That means it purifies; it makes things better. We are called to make the world better (by our actions and words).
The church is called to be the light of the world. Light shines in darkness and shows the right way for traveling. If we are walking with Christ, we shine as lights in this world (Philippians 2:15-17). That means we do not shy away from injustice: we face it head on! Part of following Christ and preaching/speaking His Word involves standing up for the downtrodden and abused. It includes addressing poverty, neglect, abuse. Being salt and light means we challenge evil wherever we find it as we also promote good (Romans 12:21).
Isaiah 1:17-Learn to do good; Seek justice, Rebuke the oppressor; Defend the fatherless, Plead for the widow.
Proverbs 31:8-9 (NLT)-Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. 9 Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice.
What are some ways that we can make things in the world better?
How can we stand against injustice in:
Our world?
Our nation?
Our city?
Our workplace?
Our school?
Our home?
Finally, we can find comfort in knowing that God is working and will one Day make all things right.
1 Peter 2:21-25-For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: 22 “WHO COMMITTED NO SIN, NOR WAS DECEIT FOUND IN HIS MOUTH”; 23 who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; 24 who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed. 25 For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
Trust in the Lord.
Father, help us when we face injustice and cruelty in this world. Help us not to become bitter and hard-hearted but to trust in You, Your goodness, and Your wisdom. Amen.