Katherine Gorge, Darwin , 30 May 2012 John 5: 22 " Moreover the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgement to the Son, that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father"
John 5: 27 " And he has given him authority to judge because he is the Son of Man"
John 5:30 "By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgement is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me"
The Greek word for judge and judgment is "Krino"- a legal term meaning to make a decision on the basis of information. Singapore legal system is unlike the States where there is a jury who hears the evidence in a trial and possesses all the information needed to take action. Here we have the magistrates, the District Judge and the High Court Judge.
Will be doing a book study on Judges in the month of July.
I guess the sudden interest in judges and judgement is primary due to the recent CHC saga. The pastor and a team of 4 others were charged last month. Terms like prejudgement, contempt of court and subjudice (case being considered in court and not to be commented in the newspaper) are the current talk of the town.
In the book of Judges, one of the key verses has to do with the fact that in those days "Israel had no king; everyone did as he saw fit - what was right in his own eyes"
Katherine Gorge Analogy:
The above aerial view taken in Darwin as we flew over the gorge in Kakadu National Park showed a real divide of the formation of the mountain rock, hence forming a gorge.
I am reminded that in the past, God and man were in great commune until the fall of man in the Garden. Sin separates us - man from God. Just like the above Gorge, we cannot jump across that divide to have the fellowship back with our Father.
In John 5, we now see that the Father judges no one. How strange.
But our Father has entrusted all judgement to the Son. The Father gave the Son the authority to judge because He is the Son of Man.
Having seen that, I can now fully appreciate why this authority was given. Jesus Christ who died on the cross for our sins had laid his cross over the gorge so that we can cross over.
JOhn5:24" I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life"
This CROSSOVER is so important that we should not be confused with the Crossover project that CHC tried to embark ten years back. While trying to reach the unreach with new methods or music and dance, we must never forget that the primary objective here is to remember the One who laid that cross for us so that we can cross over from death to life. That person in Jesus Christ, Son of God and Son of Man. He is the Judge. His judgement is fair. And while he seek not to please himself but the Father who sent him, so likewise must we do likewise.
In John 5:30, here we notice that Jesus never acted until he had all the direction he needed from the Spirit. That action is always right because he followed the Holy Spirit's guidance.
Reflections
Perhaps the CHC saga is indeed a good thing that has happened. It draws up the importance of going back to the basics of Christian foundation. Focusing on the person called Jesus Christ. For some of us who had "crossed over' with our names recorded in the Book of Life, being grateful and thankful is something we all need. Let the judgement take on the recent saga. We can judge, why not? But it has to be righteous judgement just like our Lord. Our Lord has given us wisdom from above and His Holy Spirit to guide us unto truth. Perhaps a lamentation is that many of us do not dare to rock any boat even if we observe that sometimes things are going amiss.
How are we to live the life that is given to us?
We do have a ruler over our life. He is Jesus - the King of Kings and Lord of Lords - the Rock of all ages. To have no fear of Him and to live like the days of Israelites in the days of Judges back in about 1000BC over a 350 Dark Age will surely spell doom. It will be a long slippery road downhill for sure. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Fear not man but the Lord God. That's how we should live.
Ps89:14 (KJV)
Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne:mercy and truth shall go before thy face.
NIV Ps 89:14-16 "Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; love and faithfulness go before you..blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, O LORD They rejoice in your name all day long, they exult in your righteousness"
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