October 25 – Who is Judging?

Jesus answered and said to them, "Even if I testify about Myself, My testimony is true, for I know where I came from and where I am going; but you do not know where I come from or where I am going. You judge according to the flesh; I am not judging anyone. But even if I do judge, My judgment is true; for I am not alone in it, but I and the Father who sent Me. Even in your law it has been written that the testimony of two men is true. I am He who testifies about Myself, and the Father who sent Me testifies about Me." So they were saying to Him, "Where is Your Father?" Jesus answered, "You know neither Me nor My Father; if you knew Me, you would know My Father also."  John 8:14-19

Jesus seemed to be talking in circles—but Pharisees love a challenge. Just a few chapters back in John 5:30-37 Jesus talked about the same necessity for two witnesses testifying. Now Jesus is telling them again that His Father testifies for Him. The Pharisees are so blind, they just don’t see WHO Jesus’ Father really is, or where He is.

Jesus tells us that His judgment is true because His Heavenly Father, who is OUR Heavenly Father, is judging with Him. For what will we be judged? All our actions and thoughts. The word “judgment” occurs 158 times in the NASB translation. Here are a few of those verses:

·         For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. 2 Corinthians 5:10

·         And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment…. Hebrews 9:27

·         For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? - 1 Peter 4:17

·         …and he (an angel) said with a loud voice, "Fear God, and give Him glory, because the hour of His judgment has come; worship Him who made the heaven and the earth and sea and springs of waters."  Rev.14:7

So we’ll all face judgment one day…what we do and say now will make a difference. Be a person of integrity today, honor God in all you do…and judgment will be a rewarding time. Of course, I’m telling myself this—preaching to myself. Integrity—what you do when no one is looking. I guess that includes having a few crackers between meals—when no one else is looking—and then I wonder why I’m not losing any weight. Who am I kidding?

Dear Jesus—Forgive me for cheating myself when I want to lose weight. Please help us all not to be blinded. Let us keep our eyes focused on You, to not only see You and Your Father but to know You—to know more about you every day. You are more precious to me than anything—especially a few tasty crackers.   

 © 2012 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB).