Wednesday, February 20, 2013
John 8:51 "I tell you the truth, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death."
THE JUDGMENT OF THE WORD
The Pharisees don't want to honestly judge themselves, but they don't want Jesus to judge them either. Instead they ask for a sign -- not because they wanted to know but because they wanted an excuse not to listen. They were grasping for any reason to avoid the inescapable conclusion of the Word that God has presented them with.
C. S. Lewis shows how we often do the same thing. In the "Screwtape Letters," when faced with a thought the man doesn't want to think about, the demon reminds him how hungry he is and shouldn't he eat before he thinks about deep things like this? I know that sometimes if there is something I should do but don't want to, often I can just debate the issue in my head for a little bit and the opportunity won't be there anymore. Jesus doesn't let them get away with this distraction. We might be tempted to think, "Well, I tried." But Jesus pushes the issue.
People cannot stand to be judged by the Word God. "Get away from me," they say, "why should I be judged, why should you judge me." We also are often quick to make excuses for our sins. "Well, everyone messes up." What does the word of God say? If you do not love the Lord with every fiber of your being, from the depths of your heart, every minute of your life, you have broken the first commandment. You are a sinner, a wretched person who deserves hell. You are judged and condemned.
Jesus pushes the Word because "it is life." But if you do not let the Word condemn your sin, neither can it bring you the message of salvation. We cannot have the life Christ gives without the condemnation of Sinai. If you do not admit that you are a sinner in need of the mercy and grace of the Lord, you have no part with Jesus. The Word judges with the Law so that it might bring life with the Gospel. It forces you to face your sin so that He may wash it away.
