Kitchen table court. Coffee shop banter. Often one or two dominate the chatter while others silently listen and offer occasional nods. Some are born to argue cases. Dubious evidence is often presented at the Coffee Court. Opinions are expressed. Debates ensue, and verdicts are rendered. Rarely are they unanimous. Some file a dissenting opinion, while others stretch their legs, ditch their empty coffee cup and head to their cars, keeping their opinions to themselves – just knowing they are right.
Thankfully, there are more formal courts in society with higher standards of justice. Presumption of innocence until proven guilty. The burden of proof requirements for those making a claim. Proof beyond reasonable doubt. Impartiality and independence of the Judge. And, punishment proportionate to the severity of the crime.
Supreme Court
There are trial courts and appeal courts, but the final verdict is issued when a case is elevated to the Supreme Court. There is a certain respect and awe that a Supreme Court demands. It is both a high honour and a grave responsibility to serve on any nation’s Supreme Court. Supreme Court decisions are precedent-setting and often affect the interpretation of a nation’s laws for decades.
Supreme Court of Canada
Like any other mechanism in society, the Supreme Court is only as fair and as just as the people who created the structure and those who work within it. We are thankful for every time the highest court in the land is not politicized or manipulated.
In recent times, Supreme Court appointments have been thrust into the turbulence of opposing values and views – all clamouring to make the loudest noise and exert the greatest pressure to ensure their ‘candidate’ is chosen. Why? Because the Supreme Court has the final say in the interpretation of the laws that govern our land.
Our land – but not our universe!
Too many spend too much time worrying about the Supreme Court of the nation and not enough time pondering the Supreme Court of our Universe.
Supreme Court Judges Only Human
Not to speak disrespectfully of distinguished judges who occupy the benches of earth, but they are still only human at best – with the same fractured and sinful hearts that the rest of us live with every day. Six footers on planet earth.
As powerful and as mighty as we might appear to be – no human, no group of humans and no world of humans has the final say.
Court Ruling on One Named Jesus
It was a group of powerful religious elites who agitated against Jesus Christ. In their distinguished robes, they processed the charges against Him through their legal mechanisms. They then elevated their guilty verdict to the “Chief Justice” – Governor Pilate who represented the most powerful empire on earth in AD33.
Ultimately the courts of this world ruled in the case of Jesus and had Him executed on a cross outside the city of Jerusalem.
It was no ordinary execution. Many criminals in the Roman Empire hung on crosses and died painful deaths. But Jesus hung on a cross with spit covering His face. His head had been bashed with rods, and even His beard had been ripped off. Long thorns pierced his forehead as they taunted Him with a crown of thorns. The flesh on His back had received so many cutting lashes it resembled a plowed field. Finally, when He hung naked on the Cross, they continued to shout their hateful taunts at Him. Later that afternoon, Jesus died on the Cross. His corpse was removed from the Cross, and His body was placed in a cemetery tomb.
This world had ruled against Him. The Supreme Court had rendered its decision and …. It was final. No appeals.
The Jesus Story is Not Over
Perhaps you are familiar with the story; and, you know it doesn’t end in a graveyard. If you know that, have you considered the implications of the resurrection of Jesus (Luke 24:5-7) for you personally and for the world itself?
The Apostle Paul visited Athens in Greece c. 50AD. He addressed the prestigious court of the Areopagus – the supreme legislative and judicial council of Athens. In history, his presentation is known as the Mars Hill Sermon and you can read the transcript in Acts Chapter 17 in the Bible.
Addressing the Court in Athens, Greece
As Paul toured Athens, he observed one monument with this inscription: “To the Unknown God.” Using this phrase, he told them that the God they didn’t know was the only God there is to know. He is the God who created all things and He is our Creator to whom we are accountable.
In that message, Paul calls on every person everywhere to repent. Why was repentance necessary? Because when God came to Planet Earth in the Person of His Son Jesus, the highest councils and courts of this world rejected Him totally and crucified Him. This world is guilty of the blood of Jesus Christ.
As you are reading along just now – have you ever repented?
Paul then proceeded to tell that elegant court that God raised Jesus bodily from the dead. No, the cross and the cemetery was not the end of Jesus! The world is not finished with Jesus Christ. The world judged Him, but He will judge the world.
…Now He [God] commands all people everywhere to repent, because He has fixed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom He has appointed; and of this He has given assurance to all by raising Him from the dead.” Acts 17:30-31 ESV
The guarantee that God will judge this world for our treatment and rejection of Christ is the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ – the Supreme Court Judge
Yes, the Supreme Courts of Earth must yield to the Supreme Court of the Universe. God appointed to His Bench the Risen Christ to be the judge of the living and the dead.
The grand structures of earth, the muscular Supreme Courts and their verdicts, and the pomp and circumstance will all be so puny and fragile before His awesome Presence. The pronouncements of atheists and the taunts of mockers and those who snubbed God – will be silenced as they cower before Him.
It is not a question of proven guilt. God has already seen the evidence of the human heart and He has pronounced that all are guilty. That is Romans 3:19, 3
Would You Like to Settle Out of Court?
That’s the purpose of this Life Lesson Post. You can settle out of court and be fully reconciled to God. Every one of your sins can be cleared from God’s record. (Romans 3:24,25) But He is waiting for your admission of guilt. Once you repent, He forgives.
The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. 1John 1:7
You can accept Christ as your Saviour right now and be forgiven of every sin and be welcomed into the family of God (John 1:12); or –
You can opt to have Him execute His judgment on you for your sins in a future day.
Remember that God has proof beyond reasonable doubt. The Judge will ensure the punishment is proportionate to the severity of the crime.
The first time, Christ came in love as the Saviour of Sinners. But the Apostle Paul warned that the Risen Christ will return to judge the world for its repeated rejection and the heinous crime at the Cross. Paul pleads with the supreme council in Athens to individually repent of their sins while there is hope and forgiveness available to all who believe.
On that day, it will be too late.
That day … “when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might…” 2Thessalonians 1:7,8,9
The Apostle Peter said:
They killed Him by hanging Him on a cross…God raised Him from the dead on the third day…He [God] commanded us to preach to the people
and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about Him [Jesus] that everyone who believes in Him [Jesus] receives forgiveness of sins through His name.” Acts 10:39,40,42-43 NIV
Does ‘everyone’ include you?
Conclusion
The Bible says: “Behold, now is the favourable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” 2Corinthians 6:2 Today, Christ is the Saviour. Today His message to you is gentle, gracious, loving and welcoming:
Jesus said, “Come to Me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 NLT
Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to Me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in Me shall never thirst…whoever comes to Me I will never cast out.” John 6:35-37
Now is the time to repent and come. Will you?
