[box] The Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son, that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father, who sent him. John 5:22-23[/box]
The apostle John got me thinking…
What could be a better way for the Father to show how much He loves the Son than for Him to give the Son the power to judge the world?
Digging into this verse, I saw several things…
The Father honors the Son.
Love always honors and prefers another. The Father prefers the Son just as the Son prefers the Father. That’s why Jesus did not consider equality with God something to be grasped. (Phil 2:6) There was never any competition, so the Father and Son always placed each other’s interests above their own. Imagine what an effective witness we’d be if we always related to others this way!
The Father wants the Son to be honored by others.
Who doesn’t want their child to be liked? At Jesus’ transfiguration, remember how the sky opened and God said, “This is my Son with whom I am well-pleased. Listen to Him.” (Matt 17:5) By giving His Son authority publicly, the Father honored Him so we would want to honor Him too. Bottom line: how could we not? He’s the judge! Reality check: we fail. We’re much more self-focused than Jesus.
Jesus reveals grace.
Have you heard the story of the judge who stepped down from the platform and took off his expensive robe in order to take the young offender’s sentence because he was the only one qualified to do it? That was our Judge Jesus. The Son was misunderstood, spat upon, betrayed, denied, humiliated, mocked, rejected, and slain. (Matt 27, Luke 23) The “God-followers” shouted, “Let His blood be upon us and on our children!” Jesus exclaimed, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
Aren’t you glad the same One who forgave His murderers is the same One who will judge us?
Jesus wants us to understand authority.
Jesus said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations…” (Matt 28:18-19) Because God gave the Son authority, the Son passed it on to us. In His name, we’re agents of healing and forgiveness. (John 20:23) In His name, we’ll someday judge men and angels. (1 Cor 6:3) What does God want us to do with this positional knowledge? He wants us to judge ourselves by the authority of God’s Word. The reason, friends? So we won’t fall under judgment. (1 Cor 11:28-31) We’re the judge’s kids! We need to let grace rule our hearts. Freely we have received; freely we give. Grace…
I’d love to hear from you below: When you think of the character of Jesus, what makes you glad He’s your judge?