Psalm 82:3-5 (NLT)

3 Give justice to the poor and the orphan;

    uphold the rights of the oppressed and the destitute.

4 Rescue the poor and helpless;

    deliver them from the grasp of evil people.

5 But these oppressors know nothing;

    they are so ignorant!

They wander about in darkness,

    while the whole world is shaken to the core.

Matthew 25:34-40 (NLT)

34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. 36 I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’

37 “Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? 39 When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’

40 “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’

“But these oppressors know nothing, they are so ignorant!” Whoa, strong words from the creator of everything. They know nothing. In the context of justice, these words mean so much. Christ frames up God’s vision again when he clearly states his expectations – “when you did it to the least of these, …you were doing it to me.” Powerfully clear message about what is right, just, and expected behavior.

Matthew 5:17-19 (NLT)

17 “Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose. 18 I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God’s law will disappear until its purpose is achieved. 19 So if you ignore the least commandment and teach others to do the same, you will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But anyone who obeys God’s laws and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.

All of God’s laws point to Christ and his teachings. Christ is the beacon that shows us the way forward, the way to the intended reality. He pulls us away from the quagmire of the world’s ways, away from our current world reality to a place of peace, joy, service, caring, love. He came to accomplish their purpose and expects us to do the same.