Center for Creative Ministry A research organization and research center for Seventh-day Adventist pastors and their congregations
What More Could I Have Done?
“If I committed a sin, prosecute me in Philippine courts, with Filipino judges, and I will allow myself to be jailed in my own nation,” Philippine ex-President Rodrigo Duterte challenged when the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued a warrant for his arrest on March 7, 2025.
Arrested four days later on March 11, 2025, the former president has been charged with committing crimes against humanity.
The ICC alleges that from November 2011 through March 2019, Duterte’s war on drugs saw extrajudicial killings of more than 6,000 drug suspects – traffickers, dealers, users, and others. He also faces accusations of offering financial incentives, promotions, and immunity from prosecution to law enforcement officers and others who carried out the killings.
Despite denying the allegations and defending his administration, Duterte boldly addressed a parliament investigation, proudly proclaiming, “I did what I had to do, and whether or not you believe it… I did it for my country.”
Christ also did all He could do for His beloved people, not by inflicting violence on others, but by taking violence upon Himself. Christ faced falsified allegations of sedition against Rome and of blasphemy against God. He could have easily called on an army of angels (Matthew 4:5-7) but instead bravely withstood trial, torture, and death to save humanity. Christ fulfilled God’s plan for our salvation (Ephesians 1:4-6).
In fact, God invites us to judge this plan – more than that, to judge God’s own character. We read in Isaiah 5:1-4 that our Heavenly Father asks us, “What more could I have done?”
Christ expands on this parable in Matthew 21:33-39, revealing that the Lord did all that could be done within the established parameters of love (the rules of engagement we learned about in last week’s Sharing Scripture).
The parable illustrates that the vinedresser is not at fault for the poor crop, but the farmhands who chose to rebel.
Nevertheless, Christ put Himself on the cross to take our punishment upon Himself. He does not control us out of fear, or an overwhelming display of power and violence.
God never broke the covenant with humanity, and through the redemption made possible by Christ dying a sinner’s death, God is revealed to be faithful, loving, and longsuffering – all of which defy Satan’s lies and accusations. On the cross, our Creator’s character is vindicated. (Romans 3:3-4)
For Reflection
Connecting: Have you ever gone above and beyond for someone only to feel that your efforts were unappreciated? Did it change the way you cared for that person?
Sharing: Could God do any more for us than has already been accomplished through the life, death, and resurrection of Christ, and the ever-present gift of the Holy Spirit?
- We are of finite wisdom and cannot aptly conjure alternatives
- Yes, but what was done was what’s in everyone’s best interest
- No, exactly what needed to be done was done
- Yes, but it would break the rules of engagement (see last week’s Sharing Scripture)
- Yes, and more is coming
- Other:
Applying: How is God’s name vindicated in the Cosmic Conflict, and how can you share the impact of God’s justice and love with others? How can you emphasize God’s vindication when sharing the gospel?
Valuing: Prayerfully read over Isaiah 5:1-7. Is the question rhetorical? How do you interpret verses 3 and 4?
~ Stefani Leeper
The Center for Creative Ministry is fully recognized by the North American Division (NAD) of the Seventh-day Adventist Church; it is also a 501c3 nonprofit organization which makes donations tax deductible in the U.S.
