Here Comes The Judge!

“For we know him who said, "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," and again, "The Lord will judge his people." It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” (Hebrews 10:30-31)

Every person will get their Day in Court.

Just ask Senator Larry Craig. Today is his day to appear in a Minneapolis courtroom to attempt to clear his good name and bad fortune for his infamous men’s room incident (due to publicity and other reasons, Craig has declined to appear in person). Here in Idaho, Larry Craig’s fall from grace has been well-documented and the opinions are fierce for how to deal with this matter. Ardent supporters think the good Senator was framed by a cuff-slappy beat officer. Long-time dissenters of the liberal ilk find Craig’s misfortune almost pleasurable. Most Idahoans, like myself, are saddened, frustrated and disappointed. How could someone who did so much good for our state (for so long) fall into such tragedy?

What I find more intriguing is how easy people find it to judge Senator Craig or anyone who gets caught or cornered, accused or arrested. Even worse, many are quick to pick up gavel and invoke just penalty. Maybe it’s our human nature. When someone else fails or falls, it’s natural to view their transgression against our own sinfulness. When Jesus cautioned against “speck”-uating about a guilty person (without first pulling the plank lodged in your own life), it’s insightful to know the Greek suggests the plank and speck are composed of the same material. In other words, we judge others based on our own worse tendencies. We usually see the faults in another person that are already built well into our own life.

That’s why the Hebrew writer reminds his audience to be careful in judging. Vengeance isn’t ours, no matter how much pain has been caused. Every man will have his day in court. Even more important is this command is for God’s people. God will judge His own and when God exacts His Vengeance it is a “dreadful thing.” If this doesn’t cause some churches and “judgmental” Christians to shudder today, it should. God will have His Day to reveal how we, His Church, failed to live and love as He designed and desired. For me, it will be a “dreadful thing” to learn where I missed the mark. After all, nobody likes to be exposed. Nobody cares to be embarrassed. Nobody plans to get caught in the wrong place.

I don’t. And neither does Larry Craig.


NOTABLE QUOTABLES ON JUDGING:

"We evaluate others with a Godlike justice, but we want them to evaluate us with a Godlike compassion." -- Sydney J. Harris

"If you judge people, you have no time to love them." -- Mother Teresa

“Remember that I’m Human. Before you judge me or decide how you’ll deal with me, walk awhile in my shoes. If you do, I think you’ll find with more understanding we can meet in the middle and walk the rest of the way together.” -- Eric Harvey and Steve Ventura: Walk Awhile in My Shoes

"When you judge another, you do not define them, you define yourself." -- Wayne Dyer

"It is harder to crack a prejudice than an atom." -–Albert Einstein


Father, you are the Judge. Forgive us for the times we set ourselves up as arbiter and executioner, judge and jury. Grant us wisdom this day to perceive our prejudices, to bury our biases and to leave our gavels silent. We also ask for courage to live and love as You desire for us, as Your Church. May the Day we stand before you, as believers and as a Body, be one of joy and affirmation and peace. Amen.