“Someone in the crowd said to Jesus, ‘Teacher, tell my brother to share the inheritance with me.’ He replied to him, ‘Friend, who appointed me as your judge and arbitrator?’”
– Luke 12:13–14
Many things in life are not fair.
We experience this in our families, at work, even in church communities. Sometimes we are overlooked, taken advantage of, or treated unfairly, just like the man who asked Jesus to intervene in his family dispute. But Jesus didn’t jump in to settle the matter. Instead, He pointed the man to something deeper.
Jesus is not just here to fix every earthly injustice or make sure we get what’s “fair.” He came to save us, to teach us what truly matters, and to lead us to eternal life.
There are times when we want Jesus to “side with us”, to step in and make things right, the way we see right. But He often responds like He did to this man: “Friend…” He addresses us gently, but also invites us to look beyond the moment.
When we feel wronged or treated unfairly, perhaps the deeper question Jesus wants us to ask is:
What is this situation revealing in my heart?
Is it anger? Entitlement? Or maybe just a desire to be seen and heard?
Jesus sees it all. And while He may not always solve things the way we expect, He never leaves us alone.
Have you ever asked God to fix something you felt was unfair? How did He respond? And what did you learn about yourself in the process?
Lord, when life feels unfair, remind me that You are near.
Help me not to cling to what I think I deserve, but to trust in what You are doing in me.
Teach me to seek peace, not just justice, and to let go when I am tempted to hold on too tightly.
Amen.
