Midweek Advent 2 – Dec. 12, 2019 – Is. 11:1-10
Introduction: Grace be to you and peace, from God our Father, and from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Our text is the Old Testament Lesson just read, from Isaiah 11. We begin with prayer.
Dear fellow disciples of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ:
- People who have an issue with God complain that He allows injustices and wickedness to continue, especially when it impacts them personally or seems opposed to their “cause.” On the other hand, there are many areas in life where people object to God making judgments, especially for those sins which they are enamored with.
- Some people think of Jesus as opposed to “justice” and judgment of others. However, a casual reading of the “woes” pronounced upon the self-righteous, those practicing a showy religiosity, should correct this misconception of Jesus.
- The real problem is that no one really wants to live by “mercy” alone. We all want to be able to “justify” ourselves, our behaviors and also our beliefs and opinions. This however also means that we are judging God Who will NOT allow us to whitewash our sins. It also means that we are rejecting His mercy and forgiveness – which were paid for by the justice of the cross of Jesus. So, do we want justice or not? And what kind?
- The purpose of God is not to judge but to save – and He wills for all men to be saved. However, where His salvation is rejected His justice must still prevail. This is so because sin and wickedness simply cannot continue forever, especially not in the coming age, the kingdom of God.
- This is the import of our text, which speaks of “THE JUDGMENT OF JESUS.” First, we must understand that:
I. The Judgment Of Jesus Is With Wisdom, With The Spirit Of God
Text: “The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.”
A. His Judgment Will Be In Keeping With The Fear Of The Lord
Text: “His delight shall be in the fear of the Lord.”
Psalm 130:3,4 “If You, O LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? But there is forgiveness with You, that You may be feared.”
B. His Judgment Will Not Be Superficial But Deep And To The Heart
Text: “He shall not judge by what His eyes see, or decide disputes by what His ears hear, but with righteousness He shall judge the poor and decide with equity for the meek of the earth.”
Statement: Again, the purpose of God is to provide us with mercy and forgiveness and salvation. He desires this that we and all people might “fear Him,” that is, reverence, respect, and deeply love Him! In line with this, you remember what Jesus pronounced: “He that believes the Son has everlasting life, but he that believes not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on Him.” His judgement is to the heart, and in keeping with God’s good and gracious will for us.
Application: So let us understand – and rejoice in the judgment of Jesus! It is intended for the good of all, and certainly:
II. The Judgment Of Jesus Will Be Good For The Church
A. Righteousness And Justice Will Be Provided For The Poor And Meek [So be sure to be one of them!]
Text: “With righteousness He shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth.”
Matt. 5:3-6 “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.”
B. Wrath And Death Will Come To The Wicked
Text: “He shall strike the earth with the rod of His mouth, and with the breath of His lips He shall kill the wicked.”
Statement: Again, if evil is evil, and if good is to prevail, then evil must ultimately be done away with. In the case of human beings, God wills for evil to be dealt with by His gracious mercy and love. However, for those who do not acknowledge the “poorness of spirit” that afflicts all human beings, who are not mourning their sin, who are not meek and gentle, and who do not seek righteousness, there is another outcome – death and hell.
Application: So we are called to integrity, honesty, openness with our Heavenly Father – repenting our sin, confessing our need for mercy, and clinging to His promised forgiveness and love. Those who are granted such repentance and faith are comforted, healed with righteousness. They have the kingdom of heaven and shall inherit the earth! This is all according to “THE JUDGEMENT OF JESUS.” And in the end:
III. In The Judgment Of Jesus, God’s Gracious Gospel, Will Rule
A. His Righteousness And Faithfulness Shall Rule
Text: “Righteousness shall be the belt of His waist, and faithfulness the belt of His loins.”
B. All Creation Will Be At Peace
Text: “The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together; and a little child shall lead them. The cow and the bear shall graze; their young shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. The nursing child shall play over the hole of the cobra, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the adder’s den. They shall not hurt of destroy in all My holy mountain.”
C. All Will Look To Be Saved By Jesus, To Enter His Rest
Text: “The earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. In that day the root of Jesse, Who shall stand as a signal for the peoples – of Him shall the nations inquire, and His resting place shall be glorious.”
Statement: “THE JUDGEMENT OF JESUS” ends up very well for creation, for the poor and meek believers, and for God Himself! It is what we are all looking forward to, all who have been renewed in spirit and who “hunger and thirst for righteousness.” Sadly, there will be many who remain in wickedness and who will receive the opposite – death and hell by the breath of God’s lips.
Application: So those who reject the good purposes of God, His tremendous love for us, also reject the notion of His judgment. Of course, they also resent that He does not judge more stringently today – even though that would mean their immediate demise. Let us not be among them! Rather, let us repent and cling to the mercy of God, that we also inherit the kingdom of righteousness!
Conclusion: We need not fear “THE JUDGMENT OF JESUS” if we know His gracious purpose and love. In fact, we can already see the beauty and necessity of “THE JUDGMENT OF JESUS,” and its blessedness.
Though people of the world who reject Jesus cannot understand any of this, and will continue to balk at everything God does, the time is coming when it will be resolved for them. However, the outcome of their judging will not be good for them.
What is coming for us, however, we who rejoice in the mercy of God, is a resting place that is glorious indeed. Thanks and praise be to God. Amen.
Votum: And the peace of God, which surpasses all human understanding, shall keep you hearts and minds in the true faith, which is in Christ Jesus, even unto life everlasting, Amen.