“Judge me, O God; and plead my cause against an ungodly nation. Oh, deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man: for Thou art the God of my strength. Oh, send out Thy light and Thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto Thy holy hill.” (Psalm 43:1-2 – the Introit for Judica)
In the name of Jesus. Amen. Judica means “Judge” as in, “Judge me, O God.” Does the Psalmist really want God to judge him? Do we really want to be judged by God?
If I stand before God based solely on what I have done, then I don’t want to be judged. Do you? Do you want God to judge you by the evil things you have done?
The Law demands perfection. Have you been perfect? Have you loved God with all your heart and loved your neighbor as yourself? You haven’t. You missed one. The judgment of God for you will then be “guilty” and “hell.”
Please, don’t judge me by what I have done, O God!
But, what if the Judge were to proclaim me “not guilty?” What if someone paid the penalty for me? What would happen then? Then, I would really be “not guilty.” If he Judge proclaims me to be “righteous” then I am righteous. Judge me, O God, that way!
God hears our prayers! Jesus delivers us from all our enemies! He delivers us from the deceitful and unjust man! He delivers us from the devil, the world, and our sinful flesh! He delivers us with His innocent suffering and death. God’s Word tells us of the Light and Truth about God. How is our Judge toward us? He is our Light and our Salvation, whom shall we fear?
In the Word of God, you hear the promise of the Gospel that all your sins, everything that you have ever done that is evil and everything that you have done that is “good” was put upon Jesus. By His death, Jesus destroyed your death. His resurrection is your resurrection.
How will you be judged? Judica teaches us not to trust in what we have done. That’s the worst place to put your trust! Place your hope and trust in the promise of the Gospel. Trust that your sins, all of them, were put on the Son of God. Faith then receives what Jesus did for us and we are saved.
Judge me, O God, by what Jesus did for me on the Cross. Judge me by His sacrifice for me. Judge me, O God, by the resurrection of Christ. Judge me, O God, by Jesus. In the name of Jesus. Amen.
“O Jesus Christ, do not delay, But hasten our salvation; We often tremble on our way In fear and tribulation. Oh, hear and grant our fervent plea; Come, mighty judge, and set us free From death and every evil.” (LW 463,v.4)
Higher Things Reflections are written by Rev. George F. Borghardt III, Assistant Pastor at St. Mark Lutheran Church, Conroe, TX.