"O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day." Psalm 119:97.
The Psalmist sees great value in God's law and considers it worthy of meditation all the day long. There are many verses that argue against dismissing the idea that Christ came to do away with law as a necessity of society, governance, and life. Typically, such texts are used as proof texts against antinomianism (anti-law), but I don't want to go that route. And I need only one short passage to prove the error of such thinking.
Some would argue that Christ had nothing to say about law and governance and society, that all he cared about was the individual's soul and eternal things. But what about the earth that He created? See John 1. What about His rule as David's heir over all things? II Samuel 7:12-7. What about His giving of His Father's law to Israel and Moses on Mt. Sinai to show how to govern society? Exodus chapters 20-23. Does He not care for man in this life? Does He not have guidance to give to His Creation whom He loves now, while we live on His earth now? According to some, He does not, and He has abandoned the earth and the mission that His Father gave to man in Genesis 1:26-31.
Here is the one verse needed to prove those wrong who claim man doesn't need law. "And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die." Genesis 2:16-7. This command, or law, was given by God before the Fall, while Adam and Eve, newly created in God's image, still had all the faculties given to them by God for ruling and subduing the world in accordance with God's plan for the earth. They had endless lives and could have lived forever if they had chosen to eat from the Tree of Life instead of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. But even if they had eaten from the Tree of Life, that other Tree, including the command to not eat from it, would have always been present in the Garden. If God had issued no other law and even if Adam and Eve had never sinned, that law would have existed for all time for mankind to obey. In other words, the true God is a God of law. It's the Tree of Life or the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil; you can't have both. Christ said that He was the way, the truth, the Life! And the truth is that good and evil is determined by Almighty God, not weak, pitiful, sinful man. The obedient Christ shows the way to that Life and that Truth.
What does that mean? A God of law? It means that God, when He created beings in His own image, created law-oriented persons, that is, law-obeyers. It is part of the very make-up of man to obey. That's why when he sinned, he merely transferred his allegiance and obedience from God to another being - the serpent. He didn't cease obeying. If Adam thought he was becoming independent by disobeying God, he was simply deceived. Even in a sinless state, God apparently never wanted to create some kind of "super man," who would be perfect in his own self and independent of God, judging for himself what is good and evil. That type of "good" human is not what God considers good, for He judged Adam and Eve for seeking such status. Without a law, there is little to prove that man trusts and is loyal to his creator. Thus law is essential to our existence because it was not invented by God after the Fall merely to guide us or teach us what civil policy should be or even demonstrate our need for Christ. Law is part and parcel of the God of the universe, thus obeying His law is part and parcel of the humans He creates. How else would we prove our faith in Him? We live by faith, but if we were perfect in the sense of having unblemished character without even needing a law to lead us, we would have no way of showing our love and faith in our Creator. In fact, we would not need Him at all; we would be our own gods equal to Him who created us. An impossible circumstance.
What about man? Who would fight against law? Men of lawlessness. It's interesting that the New Testament describes the most fearful situation we could face as the ruler who is without law - the man of lawlessness. II Thessalonians 2:3. It was also Christ's accusation which he flung at the Scribes and Pharisees. Matthew 23:28. The lawless man is of the spirit of anti-Christ, that is, he is someone who fights against Christ or substitutes something for Christ. What could substitute for Christ, the One who died for mankind's sin? Lawlessness. If there is no law, then we don't need Christ. It is Satan's salvation. No true Christian can promote lawlessness because that would be denying the very need for Christ's coming to earth and suffering death for our sins.
What about Christ? What was His attitude toward law? Think about the love, loyalty, and respect that is tied up in this one statement that Christ made in John 5:30. "I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me." Christ, perfect in every way, God in the flesh, without sin and without flaw, yet His greatest joy is to perfectly follow the will of the Father. Christ was and is always obedient to His Father. He is our example as to how to live. His image is that into which God is conforming the believer. The words every believer longs to hear on the Day of Judgment are: "Well done, good and faithful servant." We do not want to hear: "But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity." Luke 13:27. The word "iniquity" is defined as lawlessness. Thus, even in the administration of Christ's kingdom and a critical component of our eternal status is our law keeping, not our perfection in our natural selves.
The fact that we are not perfected in this life is actually a comfort to the believer, who longs for the day of freedom from sin and often wonders what is wrong with his life and the ever present attack of his sinful flesh. Yet, there is comfort in the fact that the believer still, in spite of all the attacks and all the failures of this life, still wants to obey the Lord. This is the perseverance of the saints, this is the love and loyalty of the faithful, and this is what distinguishes the believer from the most upright and honorable unbeliever, who knows not the believer's God or the loyalty and love that is wedded to the believer's obedience to his Lord. The "perfect" heathen is always imperfect, for the unbeliever can never learn to obey His true Creator-Father, can never know that relationship of love, suffering, and faithfulness. No matter how "perfect" the unbeliever lives before man, he is stunted as a human being because he knows not His own God and Maker. How terrible is the existence of the so-called "good" man who knows not his own God!?
The greatest evil is the man who continues in rebellion against his creator, who never understands or even desires to obey His God and King but lives in the darkness of his lawless love of his own way. This is the way of Cain, this is Judas' choice, this is, no matter how pristine the outward appearance, the way to Hell and the Lake of Fire. It is also the way a society disintegrates, whether quickly or glacially. The end is certain. God will not bless a nation or people who defy His law. Christ could never have come to bring lawlessness to humanity, for that would mean that He desired the alienation of man from God and the destruction of mankind itself. Of course, such a motive was the opposite of Christ and His purpose and motivation. His love and sacrifice was for man to be reunited to His Father and saved from destruction, both eternal and temporal. Therefore, Christ opposed the greatest evil with all His words and with everything He had while He walked the earth. He came to restore us to law-keeping and love for the Father and His law. Anyone who says otherwise is an apostle of the Satanic gospel, which says, "There is no law that condemns you, and there is no need for salvation. You are your own god."
Again, the believer willingly, even joyfully, submits to the rule of God in his own life and attempts to apply it equitably to the civil sphere. The unbelieving rebel mocks such attempts and would overturn all of God's rule in his own life and that of the entire world, if he could. But he can't.
Saturday, July 2, 2016
Did Christ Change the Judicial System? 5
". . . That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel." Matthew 19:28.
"Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven." Matthew 26:64.
"Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations. And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me; that ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel." Luke 22:28-30.
"Hereafter shall the Son of man sit on the right hand of the power of God." Luke 22:69.
"Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice." John 18:37.
"And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus." Ephesians 2:6-7.
"But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God." Acts 7:55-6.
"And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence." Colossians 1:17-8.
"Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth." Revelation 1:5a.
"And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS." Revelation 19:11-16.
"And Jesus came and said to them, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.' " Matthew 28:18.
"Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling." Philippians 2:9-12. Notice the effect of Christ's exaltation to kingship upon believers: The beloved obey.
These are not statements of Christ's reign in some future heavenly kingdom. The above are verses speaking to His present reign over heaven and earth from His position at the right hand of God right now and ever since His ascension nearly 2,000 years ago. There's room for debate as to a few of them, but all we really need is one if we're talking about the word of God, right?
Ever heard anyone say that Christ didn't come to rule when he walked the earth; that wasn't what he was about. That's like saying that the son of the King, who goes out to survey his father's domain and see which citizens are loyal or not, is not about reigning. Christ wasn't about reigning when he walked the earth; he was preparing for it. He was calling people back to the true King, and he was showing them who the true King is and what kind of rule he exercises. As reward for willingly giving his life for the redemption/salvation of mankind, Christ received ultimate honor of the highest order. Philippians 2.
Yet people continue to interpret the above scripture passages to apply only to a future one-time event at the end of history. Where is Christ seated right now? At the right hand of the Father in Heaven. Is there any other place in the universe more powerful and authoritative than that. "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth." Matthew 28:18. The two questions that all persons, believer and unbeliever, must ask themselves is this: If he is reigning now and I am loyal to Him, how shall I serve the government of the true King, the increase of which shall have no end? Second, will I obey the true king or remain a rebel?
And how does that affect the judicial system and the rule of society now? We know Christ brings eternal life to man, but what about the judicial system? Through His people, that's one way Christ acts judicially now. The other way is through His sovereign authority and power as second member of the Trinity. He used the Roman army to destroy Jerusalem in 70 A.D., just as He prophesied that He would. See Matthew 24; Mark 13; Luke 21.
"Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven." Matthew 26:64.
"Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations. And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me; that ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel." Luke 22:28-30.
"Hereafter shall the Son of man sit on the right hand of the power of God." Luke 22:69.
"Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice." John 18:37.
"And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus." Ephesians 2:6-7.
"But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God." Acts 7:55-6.
"And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence." Colossians 1:17-8.
"Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth." Revelation 1:5a.
"And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS." Revelation 19:11-16.
"And Jesus came and said to them, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.' " Matthew 28:18.
"Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling." Philippians 2:9-12. Notice the effect of Christ's exaltation to kingship upon believers: The beloved obey.
These are not statements of Christ's reign in some future heavenly kingdom. The above are verses speaking to His present reign over heaven and earth from His position at the right hand of God right now and ever since His ascension nearly 2,000 years ago. There's room for debate as to a few of them, but all we really need is one if we're talking about the word of God, right?
Ever heard anyone say that Christ didn't come to rule when he walked the earth; that wasn't what he was about. That's like saying that the son of the King, who goes out to survey his father's domain and see which citizens are loyal or not, is not about reigning. Christ wasn't about reigning when he walked the earth; he was preparing for it. He was calling people back to the true King, and he was showing them who the true King is and what kind of rule he exercises. As reward for willingly giving his life for the redemption/salvation of mankind, Christ received ultimate honor of the highest order. Philippians 2.
Yet people continue to interpret the above scripture passages to apply only to a future one-time event at the end of history. Where is Christ seated right now? At the right hand of the Father in Heaven. Is there any other place in the universe more powerful and authoritative than that. "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth." Matthew 28:18. The two questions that all persons, believer and unbeliever, must ask themselves is this: If he is reigning now and I am loyal to Him, how shall I serve the government of the true King, the increase of which shall have no end? Second, will I obey the true king or remain a rebel?
And how does that affect the judicial system and the rule of society now? We know Christ brings eternal life to man, but what about the judicial system? Through His people, that's one way Christ acts judicially now. The other way is through His sovereign authority and power as second member of the Trinity. He used the Roman army to destroy Jerusalem in 70 A.D., just as He prophesied that He would. See Matthew 24; Mark 13; Luke 21.
Did Christ Change the Judicial System? 3
In the eyes of Christ, there are only two groups of people on earth after Christ's coming. Race, heritage, nationality - none of these things matter. But loyalty to Christ's authority as King and Judge of the universe does matter. You can divide the world into those who repent and believe in Him and those who refuse. The normal everyday judgment of the latter is suspect because they suicidally continue in opposition to the true God in spite of the fact that He sent Christ as Savior and King. They are operating upon another foundation of thought to determine right and wrong in life. They are still under Adam and Eve, who determined that God's word was insufficient, even erroneous, and needed correction by Adam and Eve. See also the difference between the spiritual man and the natural man described in Paul's first epistle to the Corinthians, chapters 1-3. At first glance, it appears that in Corinthians Paul is referring only to the doctrine of salvation, but because salvation encompasses the redemption of the entire man, not just his soul and preparing it for the afterlife, the failure of the natural man to discern God's will for one's life in the most important matter - salvation - means failure to be able to do so with respect to the smallest material matters of life.
See also I Corinthians 6 and judgment by heathen as to disputes between believers. One can use the entire epistle of I Corinthians to explain how man fails in his judgment of matters of this life and of eternity. See Gary North, "Judgment and Dominion: An Economic Commentary on I Corinthians" (Point Five Press: Dallas, GA), 2012; and the writings of Cornelius Van Til on the lack of neutrality in all human thought. While the law of God requires equal treatment of all people before the law, that does not mean that anyone can act as a judge. Only New Men can adequately judge in the affairs of men. See I Corinthians 6:1-11, wherein Paul explains the shame of submitting to a judge who is an unbeliever instead of allowing believers to act as judges of disputes.
So what did Christ bring in order to improve the human judicial system. He brought new men with new thought and new loyalty, a loyalty to the scripture and a desire to think God's thoughts after Him. These new men have replaced their humanistic thought on all subjects with theistic thought: "Would the God of the bible be pleased with this judgment?" should be the new man's first thought. What does God's law say to this matter? The new man is a man under authority; he does not claim original inspiration or infallibility in his own mind. However, the unbeliever does claim such for his thoughts; such arrogance is only logical, for he has no authority to submit to but himself. But it gets worse, for the unbeliever hates the God of the bible and will do all in his power and thought to eject Him from his presence, an impossible goal that man attempts continually. Therefore, giving such a person the authority to act as a judge in other people's lives is like giving a flame thrower to an arsonist. He can't resist destroying the remnants of biblical thought from all of life and civil government. He is completely unfit to serve as a judge.
The fact that America presently takes a "neutral" view on all candidates for judgeships indicates either a tremendous naivete toward the threat existing or a tremendous antagonism toward biblical truth. All intelligent and educated lawyers are considered good candidates for being judges. No one asks (and if they do they are castigated for it) what faith the person holds. Such candidates could believe they are god himself . . . or herself, and that religious faith would not disqualify that person from being a judge. Popular election of judges is the only way that Americans presently have of avoiding this problem. They can choose a person of faith freely. Any other method of appointment would expose to the greatest criticism the official who attempted such. But the people can err also. See the people's choice of Abimilech to rule in Judges 9. Yet God in His sovereignty righted that situation, just as Christ can do today.
Therefore, we are forced to accept "qualified" heathen as judges, who take an oath to the U.S. Constitution then go about doing away with Christian civilization and the U.S. Constitution in the cleverest ways of which they are capable. Higher education helps prepare them for this "mission" in life, this hunt for the white whale, this pursuit of "Rationalism" at the expense of the rule of the loving and living God, this perseverance of the wicked unto destruction - of themselves and of the republic they serve. And Christians wonder why and how this nation has declined from its previous pinnacle as a great nation and its refuge in the world for those who loved the faith of our fathers. We gave it away.
Therefore, who should have the authority to judge? Those who submit to authority - the authority of the true God as demonstrated in the scriptures of the Old and New Testaments. Allowing a rebel against the true God to rule is asking for trouble. It is asking the lawless to legislate and administer and interpret the laws. It is asking for destruction.
See also I Corinthians 6 and judgment by heathen as to disputes between believers. One can use the entire epistle of I Corinthians to explain how man fails in his judgment of matters of this life and of eternity. See Gary North, "Judgment and Dominion: An Economic Commentary on I Corinthians" (Point Five Press: Dallas, GA), 2012; and the writings of Cornelius Van Til on the lack of neutrality in all human thought. While the law of God requires equal treatment of all people before the law, that does not mean that anyone can act as a judge. Only New Men can adequately judge in the affairs of men. See I Corinthians 6:1-11, wherein Paul explains the shame of submitting to a judge who is an unbeliever instead of allowing believers to act as judges of disputes.
So what did Christ bring in order to improve the human judicial system. He brought new men with new thought and new loyalty, a loyalty to the scripture and a desire to think God's thoughts after Him. These new men have replaced their humanistic thought on all subjects with theistic thought: "Would the God of the bible be pleased with this judgment?" should be the new man's first thought. What does God's law say to this matter? The new man is a man under authority; he does not claim original inspiration or infallibility in his own mind. However, the unbeliever does claim such for his thoughts; such arrogance is only logical, for he has no authority to submit to but himself. But it gets worse, for the unbeliever hates the God of the bible and will do all in his power and thought to eject Him from his presence, an impossible goal that man attempts continually. Therefore, giving such a person the authority to act as a judge in other people's lives is like giving a flame thrower to an arsonist. He can't resist destroying the remnants of biblical thought from all of life and civil government. He is completely unfit to serve as a judge.
The fact that America presently takes a "neutral" view on all candidates for judgeships indicates either a tremendous naivete toward the threat existing or a tremendous antagonism toward biblical truth. All intelligent and educated lawyers are considered good candidates for being judges. No one asks (and if they do they are castigated for it) what faith the person holds. Such candidates could believe they are god himself . . . or herself, and that religious faith would not disqualify that person from being a judge. Popular election of judges is the only way that Americans presently have of avoiding this problem. They can choose a person of faith freely. Any other method of appointment would expose to the greatest criticism the official who attempted such. But the people can err also. See the people's choice of Abimilech to rule in Judges 9. Yet God in His sovereignty righted that situation, just as Christ can do today.
Therefore, we are forced to accept "qualified" heathen as judges, who take an oath to the U.S. Constitution then go about doing away with Christian civilization and the U.S. Constitution in the cleverest ways of which they are capable. Higher education helps prepare them for this "mission" in life, this hunt for the white whale, this pursuit of "Rationalism" at the expense of the rule of the loving and living God, this perseverance of the wicked unto destruction - of themselves and of the republic they serve. And Christians wonder why and how this nation has declined from its previous pinnacle as a great nation and its refuge in the world for those who loved the faith of our fathers. We gave it away.
Therefore, who should have the authority to judge? Those who submit to authority - the authority of the true God as demonstrated in the scriptures of the Old and New Testaments. Allowing a rebel against the true God to rule is asking for trouble. It is asking the lawless to legislate and administer and interpret the laws. It is asking for destruction.
Did Christ Change the Judicial System? 2
Someone attempted to bring Christ into a judgment to act as judge, but it really wasn't a court situation. It was a politically motivated public relations stunt. The Scribes and Pharisees brought to him a woman caught in the very act of adultery and tested Him seeking to get something against him. By the way, if they caught her in the "very act" of adultery, then we have to ask, "Where was the man?" The "trial" was already clearly biassed against the woman. Also, we don't even know how long it had been since she was caught. It could have been a long period of time, and her crime came to the notice of the authorities after gossip circulated. The authorities may have even known about her for a period of time and done nothing, bringing her to Jesus for the sole purpose of obtaining "dirt" on Jesus.
They demanded he answer a question: "Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him." John 8:5-6a. If he opposed Moses, then they could accuse Him of just that. If he said, "Stone her," then he'd be subject to scrutiny by the Roman authorities and appear like someone who had not brought good news. If nothing else, the leaders could perhaps divide the masses that seemed to be so favorable toward Him. This is because the Roman Empire had reserved the sentence of capital punishment for itself. When the leaders of the Sanhedrin brought Jesus to be tried by Pilate, he told them to try Him themselves, but they wanted the death penalty, so they took Him to Pilate. "Then said Pilate unto them, Take ye him, and judge him according to your law. The Jews therefore said unto him, It is not lawful for us to put any man to death: . . . ." John 18:31.
In answer, "But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not." John 8:6b. He ignored them. This was the appropriate response because He was not a judge. No one had elected or appointed him to the position, there had been no trial with evidence and witnesses, and He understood just what they were up to.
Jesus said to them: "He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her." John 8:7b. He understood the position of the accusers pursuant to biblical law. For capital offenses, "The hands of the witnesses shall be first upon him to put him to death, and afterward the hands of all the people. So thou shalt put the evil away from among you." Deuteronomy 17:7. In other words, if you're going to take responsibility to report a crime that leads to the death penalty, then you must take part in the execution. But what are the qualifications of the witnesses? Are they honest? There are examples of people framing someone for a capital offense. See the framing of Naboth by King Ahab's wife in I Kings 21. The law of Moses even explicitly addressed the crime of framing another person. See Deuteronomy 19:15-21. Christ did not critique the law of Moses, He criticized those attempting to misuse it.
Instead of condemning the accused whom the Pharisees and Scribes brought to Him for judgment, Christ ended up condemning the accusers. He condemned them for being hypocrites. They themselves were as guilty as the woman, yet they set out to accuse her without coming under judgment themselves. He critiqued the men who were making the accusation and acting as prosecutors. They were responsible as witnesses for whatever punishment they sought to impose on the adulterous woman. While their testimony as to the woman's guilt may have not been false, their self-appointed position as witnesses seeking "justice" was false. Christ exposed the falsity in their judgment, showing again how Christ's sophisticated judgment could expose whatever lie was hidden by the appearance of matters.
The only other instance where Christ had direct contact with a civil or judicial action was His own trial, wherein He was defendant. He did have something to say to Pilate about being a judge and ruler. See Post "Jesus' Not So Subtle But Gentle Rebuke of Pilate." My conclusion from that exchange is that if a man does not know the truth, that is, God's word as to right and wrong, he is not fit to be a ruler or a judge. Pilate's action also condemns those who advocate for a democratic determination of right and wrong. The crowd can be fickle about that, and innocent men can perish as a result.
Remember that in the Luke 12 passage (See post "Who Made You a Judge?") where a man wanted Him to perform the function of a judge, He told the man to examine himself as to his covetous heart. In both examples, Christ's concern went beyond the surface and dealt with the character of the people seeking to obtain judgment. This perspective fits with Christ's mission of New Creation. Christ wants new men, not new systems.
"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation." II Corinthians 5:17-19.
The revolutionary ignores the man and seeks new systems. Christ did not come to abolish the law of God as found in the the Mosaic Code. He wanted it applied honestly and equitably. Christ was not a revolutionary; He was a transformer, an example, and the Creator of the New Man. If Christ considered the principles undergirding the Mosaic system of justice to be adequate (and what could be more adequate than equal treatment before the law for all people?), and if His main concern was with New Men, then there should be no change in the judicial system established through Moses. Why would there be any need for change, seeing that Christ gave Moses those principles?
Therefore, how does Christ change the judiciary?
They demanded he answer a question: "Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him." John 8:5-6a. If he opposed Moses, then they could accuse Him of just that. If he said, "Stone her," then he'd be subject to scrutiny by the Roman authorities and appear like someone who had not brought good news. If nothing else, the leaders could perhaps divide the masses that seemed to be so favorable toward Him. This is because the Roman Empire had reserved the sentence of capital punishment for itself. When the leaders of the Sanhedrin brought Jesus to be tried by Pilate, he told them to try Him themselves, but they wanted the death penalty, so they took Him to Pilate. "Then said Pilate unto them, Take ye him, and judge him according to your law. The Jews therefore said unto him, It is not lawful for us to put any man to death: . . . ." John 18:31.
In answer, "But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not." John 8:6b. He ignored them. This was the appropriate response because He was not a judge. No one had elected or appointed him to the position, there had been no trial with evidence and witnesses, and He understood just what they were up to.
Jesus said to them: "He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her." John 8:7b. He understood the position of the accusers pursuant to biblical law. For capital offenses, "The hands of the witnesses shall be first upon him to put him to death, and afterward the hands of all the people. So thou shalt put the evil away from among you." Deuteronomy 17:7. In other words, if you're going to take responsibility to report a crime that leads to the death penalty, then you must take part in the execution. But what are the qualifications of the witnesses? Are they honest? There are examples of people framing someone for a capital offense. See the framing of Naboth by King Ahab's wife in I Kings 21. The law of Moses even explicitly addressed the crime of framing another person. See Deuteronomy 19:15-21. Christ did not critique the law of Moses, He criticized those attempting to misuse it.
Instead of condemning the accused whom the Pharisees and Scribes brought to Him for judgment, Christ ended up condemning the accusers. He condemned them for being hypocrites. They themselves were as guilty as the woman, yet they set out to accuse her without coming under judgment themselves. He critiqued the men who were making the accusation and acting as prosecutors. They were responsible as witnesses for whatever punishment they sought to impose on the adulterous woman. While their testimony as to the woman's guilt may have not been false, their self-appointed position as witnesses seeking "justice" was false. Christ exposed the falsity in their judgment, showing again how Christ's sophisticated judgment could expose whatever lie was hidden by the appearance of matters.
The only other instance where Christ had direct contact with a civil or judicial action was His own trial, wherein He was defendant. He did have something to say to Pilate about being a judge and ruler. See Post "Jesus' Not So Subtle But Gentle Rebuke of Pilate." My conclusion from that exchange is that if a man does not know the truth, that is, God's word as to right and wrong, he is not fit to be a ruler or a judge. Pilate's action also condemns those who advocate for a democratic determination of right and wrong. The crowd can be fickle about that, and innocent men can perish as a result.
Remember that in the Luke 12 passage (See post "Who Made You a Judge?") where a man wanted Him to perform the function of a judge, He told the man to examine himself as to his covetous heart. In both examples, Christ's concern went beyond the surface and dealt with the character of the people seeking to obtain judgment. This perspective fits with Christ's mission of New Creation. Christ wants new men, not new systems.
"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation." II Corinthians 5:17-19.
The revolutionary ignores the man and seeks new systems. Christ did not come to abolish the law of God as found in the the Mosaic Code. He wanted it applied honestly and equitably. Christ was not a revolutionary; He was a transformer, an example, and the Creator of the New Man. If Christ considered the principles undergirding the Mosaic system of justice to be adequate (and what could be more adequate than equal treatment before the law for all people?), and if His main concern was with New Men, then there should be no change in the judicial system established through Moses. Why would there be any need for change, seeing that Christ gave Moses those principles?
Therefore, how does Christ change the judiciary?
Did Christ Change the Judicial System? 1
"And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God." Luke 1:30-35.
We don't know all the details. The Lord gives us the information we need, not comprehensive information. When Christ came to earth to become a man, he was born of a virgin, the fitting entrance for the One who never knew sin. His followers left all immediately to take up the commission of following Christ. Wherever he went, Christ performed miracles of healing, even raising the dead. Crowds would flock to Him to hear Him, to experience His power, to just touch Him. It is obvious, particularly from the history related by the Apostle John, that the most damnable sin of the Pharisees, Scribes, and Sadducees was not their hypocrisy, their stealing from widows, or their kowtowing to the Romans; it was their rejection of Christ as their teacher, leader, and savior.
Christ spoke in the starkest terms of Himself as the most important object of life. He spoke unapologetically and seemingly without selfish or narcissistic motives. He allowed Himself to be the object of worship and asserted that He was equivalent to God Himself. He even spoke of Himself as the bread of life itself. "Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day." John 6:53-4.
Yet, one is hard pressed to find any example of Christ acting in a civil or judicial capacity. In fact, when demanded to act as a judge in a private estate matter between two brothers, he said, "Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you?" Luke 12:14. When crowds sought to take him and make him king, he avoided by withdrawing.
Clearly, He knew His calling and mission as savior of the world and not that of political ruler. And He knew the separation that must exist between civil rule and ecclesiastical ministry. His own trial epitomizes a midnight, farcical denial of due process, yet he said little to critique it. See John 18:33-40. So, what effect would His coming to earth have on the judicial system?
Judges are needed in the world of man after the ejection from the Garden of Eden because of laws and the breaking thereof. But for the Fall in that Garden, would there be a need for law or judges? Even if there had been a need for judges had there been no Fall, the need would surely have been minimal in a sinless world. Christ was the second Adam, the new Man, the initiator of the New Creation, a world of men adopted into His family, freed from sin and given new hearts and spirits to love the law of God and righteousness. Yet, we do not see the full manifestation of that work accomplished by Christ. We still have sin. We still need judges. If for no other reason but to remind sinful man of the fact of a coming judgment before the Divine Judge of all, we need judges.
The question remains: Considering all His significance, all His commanding presence, all His wise words, all His divinity come to earth, what effect did Christ's coming have on the judicial system? Should it have any?
We don't know all the details. The Lord gives us the information we need, not comprehensive information. When Christ came to earth to become a man, he was born of a virgin, the fitting entrance for the One who never knew sin. His followers left all immediately to take up the commission of following Christ. Wherever he went, Christ performed miracles of healing, even raising the dead. Crowds would flock to Him to hear Him, to experience His power, to just touch Him. It is obvious, particularly from the history related by the Apostle John, that the most damnable sin of the Pharisees, Scribes, and Sadducees was not their hypocrisy, their stealing from widows, or their kowtowing to the Romans; it was their rejection of Christ as their teacher, leader, and savior.
Christ spoke in the starkest terms of Himself as the most important object of life. He spoke unapologetically and seemingly without selfish or narcissistic motives. He allowed Himself to be the object of worship and asserted that He was equivalent to God Himself. He even spoke of Himself as the bread of life itself. "Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day." John 6:53-4.
Yet, one is hard pressed to find any example of Christ acting in a civil or judicial capacity. In fact, when demanded to act as a judge in a private estate matter between two brothers, he said, "Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you?" Luke 12:14. When crowds sought to take him and make him king, he avoided by withdrawing.
Clearly, He knew His calling and mission as savior of the world and not that of political ruler. And He knew the separation that must exist between civil rule and ecclesiastical ministry. His own trial epitomizes a midnight, farcical denial of due process, yet he said little to critique it. See John 18:33-40. So, what effect would His coming to earth have on the judicial system?
Judges are needed in the world of man after the ejection from the Garden of Eden because of laws and the breaking thereof. But for the Fall in that Garden, would there be a need for law or judges? Even if there had been a need for judges had there been no Fall, the need would surely have been minimal in a sinless world. Christ was the second Adam, the new Man, the initiator of the New Creation, a world of men adopted into His family, freed from sin and given new hearts and spirits to love the law of God and righteousness. Yet, we do not see the full manifestation of that work accomplished by Christ. We still have sin. We still need judges. If for no other reason but to remind sinful man of the fact of a coming judgment before the Divine Judge of all, we need judges.
The question remains: Considering all His significance, all His commanding presence, all His wise words, all His divinity come to earth, what effect did Christ's coming have on the judicial system? Should it have any?
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