Last Judgement- John 5

Hope In Tigard

My junior year of high school, I was part of a traveling choir. Our spring tour took us to the Southwest of the country, and for a day of fun, our director booked us a bus trip up to see the Grand Canyon. Only one problem - it was snowing. Halfway up we were forced to turn around after the bus slid backwards 20 feet over the snow towards a cliff. I remember feeling utterly helpless as we slowly slipped towards the edge. There was nothing I could do. The forces of nature are too far above what I can impact.

It’s that reality that Jesus wakes us up to in this Sunday's text. That there is a force way above us. That there is a voice and a call and a creative power that determines our eternal destination; where we’re headed at the Last Judgment.
It's outside of our control. It's too far above what we can impact. There is nothing we can do to get ready for the day of judgement. Jesus had to step in and do everything for us. And when I say everything, I mean everything.
That’s what Jesus’ cross is all about. It was there that justice was had for everything. On the cross judgment was rendered for all, and especially for you. So that you would never dangle precariously over judgement. So that you wouldn’t have to worry about the Last Judgment, but actually rejoice in it. So that you wouldn’t have to give up on this life thinking, “I’m toast. So that you can live.