John 5:22-23

Jesus has been given the authority to judge – the Father has entrusted all judgment to the Son and is pleased to govern through Christ. Jesus as our Mediator and vicarious satisfaction has been given the final and universal judgment – by His award we stand or fall. We find in verse 27 of this same chapter of John the following:

27 And he has given him authority to judge because he is the Son of Man. John 5:27 (NIV)

It is fitting that Jesus be the One to execute judgment as it was He who performed our salvation. By His humiliation and gracious condescension to become a man - though fully God - and die for our sins, the Father has made Him Lord over all. We find in Philippians:

9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Phil 2:9-11 (NIV)

“Tomorrow’s history has already been written – at the name of Jesus, every knee must bow.” Paul Kauffman

“No intelligent being—whether angels and saints in heaven; people living on the earth; or Satan, demons, and the unsaved in hell—in all of God’s universe will escape. All will bow either willingly or they will be made to do so.” Bible Knowledge Commentary

"Our Creator is infinitely good, and His will is love: to submit to one who is 'too wise to err, too good to be unkind,' should not be hard." C.H. Spurgeon

Peter made it clear that Jesus’ ministry would result in either salvation or judgment – we are all held accountable to Christ as our Judge. He tells us in Acts:

42 He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. 43 All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name." Acts 10:42-43 (NIV)

“The prophets did bear witness to this, ‘that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.’ This is the great thing we need, without which we are undone. And the forgiveness of sins lays a foundation for all other favours and blessings. If sin is pardoned, all is well, and shall end everlastingly well.” Matthew Henry

Jesus also demonstrates for us in our verses for today the blessed unity of the Godhead. God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit – are so inextricably intertwined that when honor or dishonor is bestowed upon One, it is bestowed upon All. This Truth is shown forth in verse 23: 23 that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father, who sent him. One cannot have the Father without the Son or the Spirit or the Son without the Father or the Spirit or the Spirit without the Father or the Son. To accept or reject One is to accept or reject All.

23 No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also. 1 John 2:23 (NIV)

All wisdom for judgment stems from the Triune God rightly resulting in man’s awe and honor.

“His wisdom’s vast, and knows no bounds, a deep where all our thoughts are drowned.” Isaac Watts

Interestingly, in reading recently about Solomon’s God given wisdom demonstrated in a verdict he passed down, awe was the exact and appropriate response from the people:

28 When all Israel heard the verdict the king had given, they held the king in awe, because they saw that he had wisdom from God to administer justice. 1 Kings 3:28 (NIV)

29 God gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight, and a breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand on the seashore. 1 Kings 4:29 (NIV)

14 Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; love and faithfulness go before you. 15Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, O LORD. 16They rejoice in your name all day long; they exult in your righteousness. Psalms 89:14-16 (NIV)