“For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son, that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him…For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself, and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man.”

‭‭John‬ ‭5:22-23, 26-27‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Woah. My theology just shifted. 

I’ve always had an image in my mind of G-d sitting on a throne as a Judge and Yeshua standing as an advocate – almost like a defense attorney. I don’t know why but it’s the image I’ve held since childhood. 

But the gospels tell a different story – and, it’s the red words – meaning Yeshua said it. He is identifying Himself as the judge – the One who has authority to issue judgment. 

Whoa. Mind. Shift. 

This is something I need to sit and ponder a while – Yeshua, the Judge. I’ve not pictured Him that way before. I’ve pictured Him as a bridegroom and a sacrifice, as a leader and friend. But judge? This is new and revelatory. 

The greatest surprise of reading the Bible through this year in chronological order is how I’m seeing things I’ve never seen before. And, it’s shifting and shaping me, making me more like Him. 

As I sit and ponder Him, Yeshua- the Judge, I think of all the things I need forgiveness and grace for. I think of how I need a Judge to settle some matters, and how this applies to me today. 

In courtrooms today, Judges hear both sides of testimony then each side sits and waits silently until a decision is made. Perhaps that’s the place I’m in – sitting, waiting, trusting. He is good and I know whatever His decision on the matter, He can be trusted. 

Father – thank You for Your Word and truth. Thank You for teaching me day after day. You are good and You keep doing good. Your leadership in my life is perfect and You can be trusted. Amen. 

Daily Reading: John 5

October 8, 2022