The Hanging Judge?

The Hanging Judge

In the American “Wild West” a judge who gained a reputation for sending men to the gallows often became known as a “hanging judge”. The intent was to provide a strong deterrent against lawlessness by acting swiftly and decisively with the iron fist of the law. But mistakes were made and more than once the punishment did not fit the crime. Many feel that God is like one of these “hanging judges” who used harsh judgments to frighten people into submission. Fire, brimstone, and eternal punishment are terms that come quickly to mind.

There are those who use this negative stereotype of God as justification for not following Him. But in doing so they may not have taken all the facts into consideration:

a) If God is perfect and has no darkness or sinfulness within Him then it is only logical that he must deal with our sins. He cannot ignore them.
b) A God who is truly good and perfect would offer perfect and fair judgments.
c) For every action there is a consequence. We, as imperfect individuals, do not like to be held accountable. We do not want to pay the penalty for wrong thoughts, words, or actions. But someone has to pay the price if God is to be consistent with His character. He must be true to Himself.
d) To reject God because He is a God of judgment is not logical. We cannot ignore or eliminate this aspect of His character if we desire a truly loving and perfect God as the one we choose to worship.

Let’s use the courtroom as a setting to illustrate what God has done for us:

a) A judge, who was presiding over a particular court case, had finished listening to months of testimony regarding individuals who had allegedly committed various crimes that would carry the death penalty if convicted. He then retired to his chambers for deliberation.

b) After a short interval, He re-entered the courtroom and was about to pass judgment, when His Son, an innocent bystander and observer, interrupted the proceedings. “Excuse me your Honour; I am compelled because of my overwhelming love for these people to willingly and freely accept the full weight of your judgment, on their behalf, if you are willing to pardon them”.

c) “This has never happened before” the judge responded, “but there is a provision for an individual, who is without sin, to freely offer his life in exchange for the lives of others. “As a result, my Son” He continued, “You would be absorbing the penalty they deserve in order to offer them the opportunity of pardon and forgiveness. Do you fully understand what you are about to undertake?”

d) “With the acknowledgement of your full understanding my Son”, the judge concluded, “I declare that your actions will fully satisfy this court and permit a full pardon for the accused provided they freely open their hearts to receive your “life changing” Spirit that was so wonderfully revealed in this courtroom today.

e) As the judge left the Court Building, at the conclusion of the trial, it was reported that he gave a smile to the waiting journalists and proudly declared, “That’s my boy!”

f) In conclusion, I believe God-the-Father has nothing in common with the stereo-typical “hanging judge”. When he is not presiding over his courtroom, he is personally searching and seeking out offenders. The judge of all people, whom some call the “Hound of Heaven”, relentlessly pursues those who do not know Him in the hope they will catch a glimpse or taste of His unique self. He who is truth, love and forgiveness is able to transform our “hearts of stone” into “hearts of flesh” if we invite him to reside within us. God is not trying to make bad people good. God is making dead people live through His Son and His Spirit.

In 2nd Chronicles, Chapter 29, King Hezekiah, out of concern for the potential “judgment of God” against Judah, decides to initiate some spring cleaning, to let in the fresh air of God’s Spirit or as Bruce Cockburn sings, “Let the bad air out”. During that time, it is evident that the spiritual condition of Judah was reflected by the condition of the temple. The house of God was full of garbage and debris. It had been closed up and neglected for many years. The people of Judah had filled their hearts with the rubbish of idol worship. “Garbage In! Garbage Out!

The faith and obedience of Hezekiah had led to the cleansing of the temple. Like a baptismal parable, this action helped to prepare both the temple and the hearts of Judah to receive God. This was Judah’s invitation for God to take up residence in the temple once more. True worship in the temple, not practiced since the time of Solomon (over 200 years prior to this time), was restored and produced great joy in Judah. The “Judge”, through Hezekiah, reached out to all the people. They rejoiced and celebrated because God had so suddenly prepared their hearts to receive Him.

In Revelation, Chapter 15 we see, in heaven, that the “tabernacle” or “temple” is open and full of God’s glory. In this chapter we see God as “Judge” preparing to deliver (by way of the seven plagues) his sentence and punishment to those who continue to reject Him.

Those who have accepted the Judge’s “full pardon” are singing a song of praise and deliverance. The ‘Song of Moses and of the Lamb” rises up like incense to God as they sing, “Who shall not reverence and glorify Your name, O Lord – giving You honour and praise in worship? For You only are holy. All the nations will come and pay homage and adoration to You, for Your just judgments – your righteous sentences and deeds – have been made known and displayed.”

In Chapter 11 of Zechariah we see the “Judge” pursuing His people. He is visiting them, in disguise, as a shepherd with a staff in each hand. One staff, called “Beauty”, represents the promise between God and His people. The other staff, called “Bonds”, represents the brotherhood between the tribes of Judah and Israel. This good shepherd intends to back-up His commitment as “Judge” to (a) keep His promise, and (b) to unify His people.

But the foolish shepherds, leading His people, break the staff of “Beauty” and the staff of “Bonds” into many pieces. They reject the good shepherd and fail to recognize Him as God.

In the fourteenth chapter of John’s gospel, we are comforted by the fact that the “Judge” does not have ”a prison with many cells” but rather “a mansion with many rooms”. A room is prepared for each person who trusts in Jesus because He lives, we also shall live, The good shepherd lived, suffered, died and rose again so that each of us could be raised, with Him, to new life. The Judge, disguised as the good shepherd, accepted on our behalf the death penalty we deserved. He then overcame sin and death itself by being the first dead person to walk away alive!