All rise! Here comes the judge!

Read John 5:31-47

Starter Prayer:  "Just God, if you are the judge, then I will happily accept your witnesses, your evidence, and your conclusions.  Because I always know that your only criterion is to be true to yourself, and you are infinite Love and Mercy."  (From Wondrous Encounters by Richard Rohr)

"As for human approval, this means nothing to me...How can people like you believe, when you look to one another for validation, and are not concerned with the validation that comes from the one God?"  John 5: 41, 44

Have you ever served on a jury?  Have you ever been a part of a legal case either as a witness, the defense, or the prosecution?  Anybody who has been in a courtroom knows that the judge is the center of order and process. The others all have much to do with the issues of legality but justice and the ultimate sentencing sit with the judge.  The judge is generally gifted with an ability to listen (objectively) to all sides, and an ability to maintain order when it begins to unravel.  Some judges are reputed to be lenient, and open to bias.  Others are seen as tough, and prone to "throw the book" at certain types of offenders. 

It is true that humans will always perceive matters imperfectly -- even the best judge is not infallible in doling out justice.  Humans may be able to sort through legal red tape or religious orthodoxy (and orthopraxy) but I am convinced that God alone is the authoritative judge.  Humans may discern justice for the living (at least once in a while) but God alone can proclaim a life sentence that echoes through eternity.

Consider all that you have discovered about God -- the qualities of love, patience, generosity and compassion.  God will invite all of the testimonies about what is true and will listen to all of the evidence about our sin and suffering.  And then, since God is Love and Mercy, God's judgment will be loving and merciful with a life sentence for all who will accept all that God revealed in Christ - you are redeemed.  I love you.  You are mine -- forever. 

That is the life sentence God orders every time.