Sermons

Summary: (The Judge With Nail-Scarred Hands) The Judge bears the scars of our defense; His verdict is mercy, and His justice ends in joy for the redeemed.

1 · When the Courtroom Comes to Town

You’ve seen the memes.

The judge walks in, everyone stands,

and somewhere in your head a voice says,

“Here comes da judge!”

But the funny thing is—

every one of us already has a court date.

Not a traffic ticket,

not detention for cutting class,

but a date with the God who made us.

That sounds terrifying, right?

Except for one shocking twist:

the Judge is also the One who took the punishment.

The gavel in His hand bears the same scars as the nails.

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2 · Why We All Get Nervous When We Hear “Judgment”

Say judgment and watch a room freeze.

We think thunder, lightning, giant screens replaying our worst moments.

No wonder most people picture judgment as the ultimate “gotcha” moment.

But Jesus says something totally different:

> “The Father judges no one,

but has entrusted all judgment to the Son.” — John 5 : 22

Then He adds:

> “Whoever hears My word and believes

has crossed over from death to life.” — John 5 : 24

So the One who judges

is also the One who already crossed the line for you.

Judgment isn’t God searching for reasons to fail you.

It’s Jesus proving why grace still wins.

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3 · Before the Bench Came the Cross

Before there was a throne in heaven,

there was a cross on a hill.

That was His first bench—

two rough beams, one bleeding Savior.

He didn’t climb down to hold a trial.

He climbed up to take the sentence.

Every hammer blow that nailed Him

was a gavel saying, “Paid in full.”

So when the books open one day,

the ink will smell like mercy,

and the courtroom will echo with the sound of “Finished.”

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4 · Scars as Evidence

In any trial you need evidence.

Jesus keeps His forever.

When Thomas doubted,

Jesus didn’t scold him—He showed him.

> “Reach out your hand and touch My side.” — John 20 : 27

Those scars aren’t reminders of guilt;

they’re receipts.

Proof that your case has already been heard

and your debt canceled in blood.

That’s why Paul can say,

> “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” — Romans 8 : 1

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5 · Judgment Without Humiliation

Let’s be honest—

we don’t just fear God’s judgment.

We fear everyone else’s.

We know how people gossip,

how quick they are to screenshot our worst day.

But Jesus doesn’t judge to humiliate.

He exposes to heal.

He uncovers what shame buried

so grace can breathe again.

He’s not the prosecutor.

He’s the defense attorney who became the evidence Himself.

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6 · The Open-Book Test

Remember the panic of walking into class

and hearing “pop quiz”?

But then the teacher says,

“Relax—it’s open book.”

That’s judgment in Christ.

The answers are right in front of you.

When the books open in heaven,

your name isn’t there to be erased—

it’s there to be underlined in red.

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7 · Why Judgment Still Matters

If Jesus already paid it all,

why have judgment at all?

Because love wants transparency.

The universe will see that God never cheated,

never saved unfairly,

never ignored a single cry for mercy.

Judgment isn’t God discovering truth;

it’s God displaying truth.

Every voice will say,

> “Just and true are Your ways.”

When it’s done,

no one will doubt His fairness again.

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8 · When Fear Turns to Awe

John saw the risen Christ and fell on his face, terrified.

Then came that hand—the same hand that once bled—

resting on his shoulder:

> “Don’t be afraid.

I am the First and the Last.

I was dead, and now I am alive forevermore.” — Revelation 1 : 17-18

That’s judgment for a believer:

not lightning and wrath,

but recognition.

The voice that calls your name

belongs to Someone who already died in your place.

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9 · Why You Can Trust the Judge

The cross means the Judge stepped down from the bench,

took off His robe,

and served your sentence Himself.

So when He calls your case,

it’s not to condemn you—

it’s to crown you.

He doesn’t swing a gavel;

He opens His arms.

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10 · Pauses

So go ahead—say it again with a grin:

“Here comes da Judge.”

Only now it’s not a punchline;

it’s a promise.

The One coming isn’t out for revenge.

He’s coming to close the case

and hand you the verdict you never deserved—

grace.

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Part 2

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1 · The Judge Who Steps Down From the Bench

Most courtrooms keep the judge high above the floor.

It’s a symbol of authority—distance that says,

You don’t belong up here.

But Jesus flips the furniture.

He steps down from the bench and stands next to the accused.

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