Don’t judge me! I like to say this when binging on leftover Halloween candy, or engaging in any activity not so good for me. The phrase gets me off the hook somehow, thinking if I avoid the judgement of others my behavior doesn’t seem so bad.

With the Lord I tend in the same direction. I lean into what Jesus spoke to his disciples about judging. If anyone hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge that person. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world.

A non-judgmental Jesus sounds pretty good. But in the next breath Jesus added, there is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; the very words I have spoken will condemn them on the last day.

While Jesus may not judge the world, a judge is coming.

In a series of teachings Jesus clarified his role—I am the way and the truth and the life—singular. No other path leads to the top of the mountain. All the other tracks dead end or fade out.

Nor can a person just ignore the words of Jesus. The judge—God the Father—sent Jesus with words of eternal life. To reject them is to reject our one way to connect with the Lord and gain that life.

Let’s not pretend an appearance before the judge of our souls isn’t in our future. God will ask questions, right wrongs, and hold to accountability.

These words of judgment come straight from the mouth of Jesus. I need to consider them, and apparently I also need to shudder in the presence of the Lord my God.

Let this teaching of Jesus sink deep into your soul and change the way you live your life. Respond appropriately. Because a judge will eventually make a appearance.

John 12 & 14 in reading the Bible cover to cover in 2022

Painting from europeana.eu