The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe

Lectionary: 160

As for you, my sheep, says the Lord GOD, I will judge between one sheep and another, between rams and goats.


Today's parable of the Last Judgment may be the first New Testament scripture passage that comes to mind when we think of Jesus as Judge. Who can forget the image of angels gathering every human being who has ever lived to an enormous field where they are sorted into two groups. Suddenly the LORD appears as the Conquering Sovereign who, taking his place above and before the separate mobs, invites one into Eternal Bliss and bans the other to Endless Misery.  

The confusion of both crowds is striking, "When did we see you?" they ask of this All-powerful King. The virtuous have habitually shown mercy to many people; they don't remember this particular figure among the hungry they fed, the naked they clothed or the imprisoned they visited. But neither do the accursed recall his appearance among the unfortunates they disdained. 

This is a powerful parable; it should be enough to arouse sleepless nights in anyone who has ever hesitated to show compassion to a stranger. But this is not the only appearance of Jesus as the Judge in scripture. Several other New Testament passages throw an important light upon this image which might be appear too clear or too harsh without their softening effect. I think of James 4:11-12:

Do not speak evil of one another, brothers. Whoever speaks evil of a brother or judges his brother speaks evil of the law and judges the law. If you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. There is one lawgiver and judge who is able to save or to destroy. Who then are you to judge your neighbor?

Matthew 13:24-30 -- 

Let them grow together until harvest; then at harvest time I will say to the harvesters, “First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles for burning; but gather the wheat into my barn.”’

Matthew 3:12 -- 

His winnowing fan is in his hand. He will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”

The promise and the threat of judgment are clear -- God alone will vindicate the innocent and condemn the wicked. Apparent, too, is the sovereign authority of God the Judge.

But we're often tempted to think the judge is "delayed in coming" and we should act in his stead. Saint Peter addressed that temptation: 2 Peter:3, verses 8-10 -- 

...do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years and a thousand years like one day. The Lord does not delay his promise, as some regard “delay,” but he is patient with you, not wishing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a mighty roar and the elements will be dissolved by fire, and the earth and everything done on it will be found out.

And finally, Hebrews 10:31:

We know the one who said: “Vengeance is mine; I will repay,” and again: “The Lord will judge his people.” It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

Many self-described Christian cities and nations have been too eager to establish the Kingdom of God, and they often began by condemning and killing the weak, vulnerable and "ungodly." They suppose their righteousness excused them from the Old Testament law, "Thou shalt not kill!" 

In these New Testament passages God tells us in no uncertain terms: He alone is the judge. On his terms. In his time. 

In the meanwhile, we watch, wait, pray for deliverance, do good and avoid evil.