Getting to Know Jesus by Name #43: Judge

Acts 10: 39 And we are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree, 40 but God raised him on the third day and made him to appear, 41 not to all the people but to us who had been chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. 43 To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”

Yesterday we saw that the name Jesus means "one who saves or delivers"; today we find the flip side: He is also the Judge. As such He is "One Who has power to make decision on cases brought before a court of law; One Who makes a decision or judgment."*  Such a decision could go either way: for or against; innocent or guilty; righteous or rejected.  It actually is consistent with what Jesus often said about Himself. He did not come to condemn, but deliver, yet, the one who refuses Him is condemned already; the judge will have no choice to say "guilty". After all, one willing to give His life for the sin of all should rightfully be allowed His day as Judge.

*(Diann Cotton: 100 Days with Jesus)