The Godfather, Civil Law and Order, and the Lord's Prayer

Question:  We know the Romans took care of laws for their own citizens and for their Empire but were there laws and enforcement for civil laws for other people?

Someone once asked me if there were laws to protect the ordinary people of Jesus’ day.  We know there were laws that were enforced to protect the Citizens of Rome and the Empire.  But what could an ordinary farmer in Galilee, for example, do to protect himself from a stronger citizen who was doing him wrong?  I do not recall ever having read an historical account of a civil judicial system for the conquered people of the Roman Empire.  Although the Sanhedrin, the Jewish court used to settle disputes, did have judges empowered to do that job between people who conformed to Old Testament rules, the court did not cover local disputes like tax gouging, theft, and revenge.  These local disputes, which did not fit in with edicts of the Old Testament, needed another remedy.  To give you an idea of how these arguments were settled, there is an echo of past practices in today’s world. 

Do you remember the movie “The Godfather”?  At the very beginning of the film, the Godfather was holding court on his daughter’s wedding day.  Tradition within the Sicilian community, which is in the Mediterranean Basin like The Promised Land, allowed members of the community to request a special service from the local strongman - The Godfather.  Amerigo Bonasera, a member of The Godfather’s extended “family”, whose daughter was assaulted by two young men who had subsequently escaped punishment in a US court, petitioned the Godfather for help.  He wanted the boys punished.  The Godfather was reluctant to help because Amerigo Bonasera had not paid him due deference over the years.  There were all sorts of rules when petitioning The Godfather, not unlike today when dealing with the King of England.  In terms of The Godfather, you needed to pay deference and esteem to him at the beginning of your request, then state your request, then again pay more deference and esteem to him before leaving.  Amerigo Bonasera did this by their end of their meeting.  In Jesus’ day, the Holy Land had many Godfathers who played a role in gaining justice for the “little guy”.

There is even more to the story of The Godfather as it applies to Jesus.  People in the first century treated God as their Patron.  Just look at the three parts of the Lord’s Prayer Jesus taught in Matthew.  The first part, “Our father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.  Thy Kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven”, establishes the proper esteem and due deference to God the Patron before requesting a favour.  The prayer goes on to say, “Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.  Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil;” this is the request we make to God.  Then we finish with another flourish of due deference and esteem: “For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory for ever and ever.  Amen.” 
​
Now please don’t confuse God with the Godfather played in the same movie played by Marlin Brando.  God is not that character!  But the form of the Lord’s Prayer takes on the attributes as if you are asking a local Patron for help.  It always amazes me how new information about the first century gives us more insight into the Bible and the people of Jesus’ day.