Beyond Punishment: How Jesus’ Teachings Call Us to Practice Restorative Justice

In today’s world, it's easy to get caught up in the idea that Christianity, especially in modern culture, is about judgment and punishment. Modern Christians, at times, have used Christianity to perpetuate harm rather than fostering healing and restoration as its teachings call for. This misuse of faith is seen in how certain groups justify discrimination, violence, or exclusion by citing scriptures or traditions that are taken out of context. Examples include using religious beliefs to oppose LGBTQ+ rights, advocate for racial segregation, or justify patriarchal structures that silence women. Rather than following the restorative message of love, compassion, and forgiveness embodied by Jesus, these actions serve to uphold systems of power and inequality. The true essence of Christianity, rooted in redemption and reconciliation, encourages healing and the uplifting of marginalized communities, but this vision is often overshadowed when faith is distorted for political or social gain.

​It seems like many people view Jesus’ teachings as a moral code to uphold; strict rules to follow, with consequences for failure. But when we take a deeper look, especially through the lens of restorative justice, we see that Jesus wasn’t about retribution. He was about healing, forgiveness, and transformation.

Restorative justice is a way of living, a way of being that aligns deeply with the heart of Jesus. When I reflect on His teachings, I see a constant thread of mercy, healing, and reconciliation woven throughout His life. And when I think of restorative justice, I see something that mirrors this heart. It’s not a punishment-based approach but one that focuses on understanding the root causes of harm, creating spaces for healing, and offering grace and mercy to those who have caused harm.

Jesus didn’t heal in isolation, He healed in community. His entire ministry revolved around the relationships He formed with others. Jesus didn’t seek out the “perfect” people; He sought out the outcasts, the marginalized, the ones society had cast aside. The tax collectors, the prostitutes, the lepers—these were His people. He ate with them, spent time with them, and showed them they were worthy of belonging (Luke 5:29-32, Matthew 9:10-13).

Restorative justice is a community-based approach to healing. It acknowledges that true healing doesn’t happen in isolation; it happens when we come together in solidarity, share our stories, and support each other. When we bring people together to engage in honest, sometimes uncomfortable, conversations, healing can begin. In my work as a doula, I’ve seen firsthand how vital it is to create a supportive, non-judgmental space for individuals, particularly those who have experienced trauma. Whether it's birth trauma or emotional pain, people need a community where they can be fully seen, heard, and supported as they heal.

In our modern world, we’ve often turned justice into something punitive. We’ve been taught to demand retribution, to seek revenge, and to “pay back” those who have wronged us. But when we look at the life of Jesus, we see a different way, a way of healing, forgiveness, and transformation.

Restorative justice takes us back to the heart of who Jesus was. It’s not about punishing the offender, it’s about breaking the cycle of harm, offering opportunities for change, and restoring relationships. It’s about seeing people not for their past mistakes, but for the potential of who they could become. This, I believe, is what Jesus wanted. He didn’t come to condemn; He came to restore.

We are called, as Christians, to be agents of healing. We are called to forgive, to offer grace, even when it’s difficult. And we are called to do this in community—supporting each other through our healing journeys and striving to create spaces where everyone can be restored.

Jesus’ teachings, especially around forgiveness and healing, lay the foundation for a restorative justice approach. There are several Bible verses that highlight these principles:

• Matthew 18:21-22: "Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, 'Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?' Jesus answered, 'I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.'"
• Luke 6:27-28: "But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you."
• John 8:7: "Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her."
• Matthew 5:44: "But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you."
• Romans 12:17-21: "Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone... If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone."

These verses demonstrate that Jesus was not about judgment, but about mercy, grace, and reconciliation. He called us to heal, not to harm; to forgive, not to punish.
Just as Jesus didn’t look at people through the lens of their past mistakes, but through the potential of their future, we are called to do the same. Restorative justice encourages us to look at the root causes of harm, to seek healing instead of retribution, and to create spaces for transformation. It is through this process that we can truly begin to heal, not just as individuals, but as a community.
In the modern world, this approach can be life-changing, particularly in areas like the criminal justice system, healthcare, and even in the ways we approach community building. When we focus on restoration, we can create a world that reflects the love and grace that Jesus embodied.
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Jesus came not to condemn the world, but to heal it. And He didn’t do it alone. He built a community of people who came together, offering forgiveness and grace, working through pain and suffering to bring about transformation. That is what restorative justice is all about: healing the wounds of the past and creating a better future for all. If we want to follow Jesus, we must do the same.
It’s time for us, as a society, to reimagine justice, not as punishment, but as restoration.