Monday, July 12
Why Jesus came
Scripture: 1 Chronicles 26-27, John 12
John 12:47–48 “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. 48 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 at the last day.
Observation
Jesus came to save the world, not judge it. So when someone heard his word but refused to obey, He didn’t judge them. He knew that judgment would happen at the last day, and people would be judged by the word of God they heard and ignored. For example, think of a judge in court applying the law. It’s actually the law that judges the person, not the judge.
Application
Two things.
First, we should mirror Jesus’ purpose of coming to save not judge or condemn. Our goal is to save people—that is, reconnect them with God for life so that they can thrive, flourish and be whole. Our goal isn’t to judge or condemn. God doesn’t want anyone to perish—neither should we. Our goal is positive: to save!
Second, we should mirror Jesus’ refusal to judge. Leave that for God at the last day. Lots could happen between now and then! Some people who seem far from God now might be close by then! This doesn’t mean that we don’t judge or discern between right or wrong—that is inescapable, and Jesus did it all the time. But it means that we don’t condemn people or write them off as hopeless. (I’m thinking of someone I know whose sin was so egregious that most of their friends have written them off.)
Our goal is to save, not condemn.
Prayer: Lord, thank You for Your grace that gives us chance after chance! Help me to mirror your goal of saving people not condemning them.