Jesus: The final Judge
We’ve examined so many flawed heroes - men and women that God used to rescue His people and to lead them back to following Him. All of the judges we’ve looked at were flawed— fallible people who struggled with sin just like you and me. Some of them followed God wholeheartedly and others fell away from him, just like many of the kings who would come after them. God’s choice to use them reminded us over and over again of our theme verse—
1st Corinthians 1:27 | Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful.
The weaknesses or flaws of these heroes remind us of the strength of God and further highlight the perfection of our final judge. After this judge, no other judge would be needed. This judge would be the final rescuer and He came with a clear mission:
Luke 19:10 | For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.
The “lost” are those who have not been rescued, or made right in God’s sight, and are still living separated from God because of their sin. That sin and separation results in death—
Romans 6:23a | For the wages of sin is death…
Each person’s eternity— whether they died rescued and will spend it with God in Heaven or died lost and will spend it apart from Him in Hell— will be determined when Jesus conducts His final judgment.
He explained that judgment like this—
Matthew 25:31-33 | But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit upon his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered in his presence, and he will separate the people as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep at his right hand and the goats at his left.
Jesus explains that there will be a day that He returns. At that point, judgment will occur and there won’t be any more time to choose to follow Him. During that judgment, He separates the sheep — His true followers and the goats — the lost who do not belong to Him.
In Jesus’ explanation, the goats are sentenced to eternal fire (vs. 41). When they argue their punishment, Jesus explains that their actions did not reflect a heart that was surrendered to Him (vs. 42-45). Because of this—
Matthew 25:46 | “…they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous will go into eternal life.”
While we don’t know when Jesus’ final judgment will come, we do know that it is indeed coming. We also know that He doesn’t want anyone to be a goat. Remember, its why He came! (Luke 19:10). Because of this, He made a way of rescue —
Galatians 1:4 | Jesus gave his life for our sins, just as God our Father planned, in order to rescue us from this evil world in which we live.
For now, He waits, hoping that the lost would choose to be rescued—
2nd Peter 3:9b | He is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.
When a lost person repents, they put their faith in Jesus as the way of rescue. Though the Holy Spirit’s power, they turn away from their sin — they stop going their way and choose to go God’s way instead — with Jesus as Lord or the boss of their life. They are rescued as a sheep or follower of God who will be with Him for eternity.
Colossians 1:13 | For He has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son.
Friend - are you a sheep or a goat? Have you put your trust in the way of rescue that comes only through Jesus? Do your actions show that He is truly Lord of your heart? The final judge, Jesus, will return. Are you ready?
What is different about the final Judge?
How did Jesus provide a way of rescue? Why was this rescue needed?
Who is considered a goat? Who is considered a sheep?
Are you a sheep or a goat and how do you know?
Do you feel ready for the final judgment? Why or why not? If you are, do you know anyone who is not? What can you do to help?