HOST: Michael Whitworth
Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life. “Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. And he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man. Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment. “I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me.
One of the things that often drew people to Jesus in large crowds was His ability to heal the sick and even raise the dead. His power over physical life was remarkable, and many came to Him seeking the restoration of health for themselves or their loved ones. But the physical lives of people were never Jesus' primary concern. Beyond the power to restore physical life and health, Jesus held the power of eternal life. For those who would hear His word and believe in Him, He had been granted by the Father the authority to give eternal life. But this text also reveals that Jesus has been given authority to execute judgment upon all who are in the grave, both the good (obedient) and the evil (disobedient). To the good, he would grant the resurrection of life, and to the evil, the resurrection of judgment. This text serves both to comfort the faithful and to warn the unfaithful. That day of resurrection and judgment is surely coming. Are we ready to stand before Christ the judge?
How and by what standard will we be judged by Christ?
Don’t forget to pray and have a great day!
