March 29–The Judgement Seat

Happy Friday. Yesterday was my sister’s birthday and after spending three days with her, I really missed her! As big sisters often do, she called today to explain more things to me. After I hung up i laughed out loud thinking back to our younger days when she would give me “counseling” telling me just what I should do. In the days of Jesus and Peter and Paul, those who gave big lectures often times were on the “judgement seat” or in the Greek on the “bema”. It’s referred to numerous times in Classical Greek literature as well as three separate “bemas” are spoken of in the New Testament. 


The Corinthian “bema” where Paul was tried (Acts 18) has been excavated. It is a large stone structure about 7.5 feet above the pavement and originally covered with carved marble. Standing before someone who was atop that was probably nothing like standing in front of your sister. Can you get a feel for how straight up you’re looking at the person who is speaking down to you? Even if the speaker was only five foot tall, they would be towering 12.5 feet above you. That could be intimidating to say the least. 


The Apostle who had stood before “bemas” tells us that we will all stand before the judgement seat of Christ and receive what is due us. He understood what he was talking about when he used that term. 


“For we live by faith, not by sight. We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭5:7-10‬ ‭NIV‬‬


Don’t you appreciate that Paul seems to say that although he’d rather be in heaven with Jesus, he can be at home where ever he is? His major goal where ever he might find himself, is just to please Jesus. Keeping that as his focus, when He looks straight up (way up) to see the Master on the judgement seat, he has no reason to be intimidated or fearful. He is good because he has finished his course, has lived his life by faith, and kept his focus on Jesus. 


Jesus, thank you for making the judgement seat the tower of mercy and grace. Help us to walk by faith and not by sight and to make pleasing you our main goal. Your love compels us because we know that you died for us all. And you have given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing things to come. Father help us when we are all out of words and we don’t know what to do to just speak love and kindness. We know your sweet Spirit is all that can make a difference in those around us and we pray right now for differences that need to happen, for hearts that need to be changed, and for people to come to know you. You are the Almighty, Invisible, our only wise King. Amen and amen. 


Love you dear one,

Pam





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