Judge | Day 12

No one likes to be corrected or punished for having done something wrong. That’s why we try to hide our mistakes or blame somebody else if we do get caught. In other words, we don’t want to be held accountable for doing wrong. But imagine if no one was held accountable for doing wrong? Evil could go unchecked. A world without consequences would be terrible.  

But we need more than just consequences. Because what happens when people disagree who deserves the consequence? Who decides who is right and who is wrong? Who decides what the punishment should be? Ultimately, we need a judge who is just.  

“And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead.”  – Acts 10:42

Jesus is that just judge who will judge the world according to His perfect knowledge and perfect standard. So we can praise Him for the justice that will mark His Kingdom when He returns.  

Of course Jesus will also judge each of us. Every one of us will be held accountable by Jesus for every thought, every action, every word we’ve spoken. This can be unnerving.

The good news, however, is that when Jesus came to earth some 2,000 years ago, He took the judgement we deserved when He died on the cross. So though every one of our sins will be exposed, those who have trusted in Jesus in this life will not bear the punishment those sins deserve. Jesus already has.

As Jesus Himself said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life. He does not come into judgement, but has passed from death to life” (John 5:24). 

Reflection Question

• Why is it good news that Jesus is both perfectly just and perfectly loving?

Prayer

Jesus, thank You that You are a perfect and loving Judge. You see everything, even the things we try to hide, and You deal with us in truth and mercy. Thank You for taking the punishment for our sins on the cross. Help us to trust You, confess our wrongs to You, and live in Your forgiveness. 

Family Activity (Optional):

Hidden Message: Secretly scatter a few small items around a room (not dangerous or messy — just things out of place). Cover some of them with a towel or hide them behind pillows, representing “hidden” wrongs. 

Tell the family: “Let’s find the hidden mess!” Give everyone 30–60 seconds to search. 

After finding everything, say: “Just like these hidden things were eventually found, nothing is hidden from Jesus. He sees everything — not to shame us, but so He can deal with it in love.”  

Name Above All Names | Day 12 | Advent 2025