Theme: Judge of All
Text: John 5:16-30
Introduction:
We are in the very first week after the resurrection of Jesus Christ. We will be thinking more about the purpose and aftereffects of the resurrection. The resurrection of Jesus Christ was unique in nature. All were dead and gone. No one was raised from the dead and ascended into Heaven (1 Corinthians 15:23).
So we would mediate the sequences of resurrection in this month.
My Redeemer lives, Stars of the Sky, resurrection and rewards for all, and Mystery of New Life. This week, let us meditate on the main theology of Judge of All.
Today from this Passage we would think of:
Judgment is Certain
Judge is Jesus Christ
Judgment is Reserved
1. Judgment is certain:
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is brought joy and blessings to the poor and feeble disciples of Jesus Christ. Jesus met them and expressed the purpose of his resurrection. He gave them the spirit of courage, the spirit of victory, the spirit of sacrifice, and the spirit of grace. They got new boldness to preach the Gospel. He assured them of the Salvation, eternal life after the Final Judgment of the world. They were sure that sentence waits for all. Also, they had strong convictions based on the scriptural references and the Teachings of Jesus Christ. He is going to the Judge of All.
The resurrection of the Lord gives us an unquestionable certainty of the Judgement for all. The Lord has instituted the justice system on the earth: first through Conscience, secondly through Law of the Lord or Moses, thirdly through the Gospel preaching. The Law of Moses took the upper hand, and it has amplified, modified, tailor-made to suit the customs, cultures, and practices of the communities, religions, and political systems.
Ultimately, mostly justice was perverted. The word Judgement is defined: ‘the process of forming an opinion or evaluation by discerning and comparing’ (Merriam-Webster). The word judgment refers ‘the legal document stating the reasons for a judicial decision’ (Free Dictionary). The right or power of a passing sentence is known as Judgement. It is the absolute power of the Judge.
The Jews had an officer in their Sanhedrim, whom they called Ab Beth Din, or "the father of the house of judgment". He had the power to trial the causes and to judge and determining them. Hence the Targumist on Solomon 7:4 says, "and the father of the house of judgment", who judges thy judgments, or determines thy causes, is mighty over thy people.'' (ref:biblehub.com/commentaries/Gill).
Bible talks about the Last Judgement from the days of Enoch (Jude 1:14-15). Job predicted, Daniel talked about it and all the saints of the New Testament.
2. Judge is Jesus Christ: John 5:22
Abraham talks about the Judge of all the Earth who does the right thing (Genesis 18:25). Father Judges no one but the judging process with Jesus Christ. God gave the authority to Jesus. Judging the world implies an ability to search the hearts and omniscience to understand the motives of all actions of humanity. It is a work that none but a divine being can do. Therefore, it shows that the Son is equal to the Father (Barnes).
The power of Judgement means power to quick the dead, ability to reject the wicked, the power to separate the Righteous is the absolute power of the Son of Man. (ref:biblehub.com/commentaries/Meyer). Acts 17:31 affirms that there is a day of Judgement for all. We all will stand( Ref: Romans 14:10, 1 John 4:17).
According to Acts 10:42, God has appointed Jesus Christ as the Judge of the living and the dead (ref: Hebrews 12:23, 2 Timothy 4:1). Because he has risen (Psalm 16:10), he had proved as Messiah (John 11:35), he is the first fruit of Resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:20).
Jesus will be seated on the Throne on that day (Matthew 25:31). The Son of Man will appear with power and great glory (Matthew 24:30). He will appear with blazing fire with his Holy Angels (2 Thessalonians 1:17, Revelation 1:7). All nations gathered before Jesus Christ. He will separate them as Sheep and Goats.
He will judge in righteousness and Truth (Psalm 96:13). Father judges each man’s work impartially (1 Peter 1:17). We need to read and meditate carefully John 3:16-18. Receiving the Love of God poured through Jesus Christ ascertains eternal life. But rejecting that love and grace brings condemnation.
3. Judgment is reserved:
The judgment is reserved for all. Mans is destined to die once and to face the Judgment (Hebrews 9:27). The judicial decisions are two kinds one is acquitted, and the other is Condemn. The Provision for escaping from Judgement is already promised in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1-2).
Those who believe in Christ would acquit from the condemnation. God, the Father, has made the entire juridical process which brings to light the essential tendencies of human hearts, and issue from the reception given by the man to the Son. The whole question of right against wrong, of life versus death, acquittal against condemnation, is determined by the attitude of men towards Jesus Christ.
The resurrection of Christ assures us of our justification by God (Romans 4:25). Jesus “was delivered over because of our transgressions, and was raised because of our justification.” It is a legal term referring to our standing before God (1 Corinthians 15:17, Romans 1:4).
The judgment is based on the secrets of Men (Romans 2:16, Jeremiah 17:10, 32:19, Ezekiel 18:30). Judgment for every activity, and everyone (Ecclesiastes 3:17, Revelation 22:12). Righteous and wicked shall be rewarded accordingly (Psalm 58:11). The punishment is based on obedience to Gospel (2 Thessalonians 1:8). As people for eternal life and eternal condemnation (Matthew 25:32). Some could bearable and for others, it could be unbearable (Matthew 11:22). There will be accountability tests, evaluations according to what was entrusted to everyone (Luke 12:48).
“The allotting of men to their eternal destinies, handed over to the Son, “all judgment,” of all men and without appeal”(ref:biblehub.com/commentaries/Expositors). He is going to glorify us through resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:20-23).
Jesus has both powers, to make alive whom He will, and to judge. The second is a corollary event of the first. Those whom Jesus does not will to make alive are by that very fact judged, separated off from the living, and left in the death which they have chosen. He does not make them dead, does not slay them. They are spiritually dead already and will not be made alive.
(ref:biblehub.com/commentaries/Cambridge).
Jesus Christ has strong confidence that his sheep will listen to His voice, and they would follow him. He knows them, and they know him (John 10: 27-29).
