Blessed are...

Judge of the Living and the Dead

“In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead…” II Timothy 4:1

The One who brings us the characteristics of the Kingdom is the One who will, one day, be our Judge. John tells us that God “has given Him authority to judge because He is the Son of Man.”[1] That is, Jesus is the One of whom the prophets spoke, the long-awaited One who would “reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.”[2] He is King and Judge: all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Him.[3]

It didn’t seem that way to Pilate, when the Jewish troublemaker was brought before him. This Jesus of Nazareth seemed harmless enough. He was a little strange, perhaps, with some delusions of grandeur, but nothing worthy of a Cross. Pilate tried to pardon the man, but the crowds, encouraged by the scribes and Pharisees, would have none of it. They bayed for His blood. So Pilate washed his hands of the whole affair, and in doing so sealed his infamy. Pilate thought that he could judge Jesus. The Jewish courts thought that they had authority over Him. Both were mistaken. In misjudging Jesus, Pilate condemned himself. In manipulating the proceedings to achieve His death, the Pharisees lost their opportunity to welcome the Messiah. The condemned man was, and is, the judge of the living and the dead. One day, the nations shall be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, like sheep and goats.[4] He has the power to speak, for the Kingdom, and the power, and the glory belong to Him.


Lord Jesus,
Judge and King, You speak as One with authority.
You have the right to command;
Your gracious Kingdom is ordered by Your will.
When I am tempted to sit in judgment,
or to place myself upon the throne that is rightfully Yours,
remind me that the Father has placed all things under Your feet.
Then, let me fall down and worship You.
Amen.


[1] John 5:27
[2] Isaiah 9:7
[3] Matthew 28:18
[4] Matthew 25:32