Friday, April 26, 2013

Jesus the Judge


“...Christ will judge all men in righteousness...” (Baptist Faith & Message 2000, art. 11, “Last Things”).

This Sunday’s reading of the Baptist Faith & Message (2000) speaks of the “last things,” but I prefer to drag any discussion of “last things” into today, considering how the biblical “end” affects our discipleship and worship right now. One phrase of our confession that is important for daily consideration is the one above which mentions Christ as Judge.

When Peter preached to God-fearers (Gentiles who worshiped with the Jews) for the first time, he preached Jesus as the Judge: “And He ordered us to preach to the people, and solemnly to testify that this is the One Who has been appointed by God as Judge of the living and the dead. Of Him all the prophets bear witness that through His name everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins” (Acts 10:42,43). Yes, Peter mentions the forgiveness of sins - after Jesus is lifted up as Judge.

When Paul preached to Greeks (who had no knowledge of the God of the Bible) on Mars Hill in Athens, he preached Jesus as the Judge: “Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent, because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man Whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead” (Acts 17:30,31). Yes, Paul mentions the mercy of God (overlooking previous "times of ignorance," but immediately follows it with the command (not "invitation") to "repent."

When they preach this way, they are merely affirming the testimony of the Lord Jesus Christ Himself: “Therefore Jesus answered and was saying to them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, unless it is something He sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, these things the Son also does in like manner. For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself is doing; and the Father will show Him greater works than these, so that you will marvel. For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son also gives life to whom He wishes. For not even the Father judges anyone, but He has given all judgment to the Son, so that all will honor the Son even as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father Who sent Him. Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him Who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life. Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. For just as the Father has life in Himself, even so He gave to the Son also to have life in Himself; and He gave Him authority to execute judgment, because He is the Son of Man. Do not marvel at this; for an hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs will hear His voice, and will come forth; those who did the good deeds to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of judgment. I can do nothing on My own initiative. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is just, because I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him Who sent Me’” (John 5:19-30).

I am always careful to pay attention to witnesses like this from the Scripture, fearful that the Jesus in Whose name I pray, preach, worship, and follow will somehow be a “half-jesus,” an incomplete picture that may look too much like the false jesus portrayed by a scripturally-ignorant and idolatrous culture that wants Him to resemble them in their values (or lack thereof).

He is the Judge of the world, and He judges in the perfect and absolute righteousness appropriate to One Who is fully God (Whom He is). He will not judge by my standards, your standards, the conventional wisdom, cultural norm, or majority vote of seven billion human beings. He judges by the perfect holiness of God as revealed in the Word of God.

“Do homage to the Son, that He not become angry, and you perish in the way, for His wrath may soon be kindled. How blessed are all who take refuge in Him!” (Psalm 2:12).

“Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; a scepter of uprightness is the scepter of Your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, Your God, has anointed You with the oil of joy above Your fellows” (Psalm 45:6,7; spoken of the Son, cf. Hebrews 1:8,9).

Christ will judge the world in righteousness, so today may we reverence Him in His holiness. May we love what He loves and hate what He hates, carefully being taught of the Holy Spirit in His Scriptures to have our “senses trained to discern good and evil” (Hebrews 5:14). May we seek refuge in His righteousness alone (not our righteousness). Christ will judge, and He is judge. May we see Him, love Him, and live in that light today and every day until the last day comes in His perfect time.

- Pastor Michael

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