Acts 10:42 (ESV)
“He is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead.”
DEVOTIONAL
This solemn truth was proclaimed by the Apostle Peter to Cornelius and his household, as he bore witness to the risen Christ. At the heart of the Christian gospel is not only the mercy of Christ but also His authority as Judge. God has appointed His Son, Jesus, to judge all people—both the living and the dead.
This appointment is not arbitrary. Jesus was given this role because He is both fully God and fully man, the sinless Savior who lived among us, died for us, and rose again in power. He knows our frailty, He knows our rebellion, and yet He also bore our judgment on the cross. And so, the One who will judge us is the same One who offered Himself for us. This is a comfort for believers and a warning for the unrepentant.
In a world that increasingly scoffs at accountability and often redefines justice according to human preference, the reminder that Christ is the Judge cuts through the noise. There will come a day when every hidden thing will be brought into the light. For those who trust in Him, this is not a day of dread but of hope—because the Judge is also our Advocate, and His wounds plead for us.
So then, let us live with holy reverence, not in fear of condemnation, but in grateful obedience. The gospel tells us that we are justified by grace through faith, yet it also calls us to walk in the light, to love what is good, and to flee what is evil. One day, we will stand before Him—not as strangers, but as His redeemed people.
Prayer
Righteous Judge and Merciful Savior,
We praise You for the wisdom of the Father, who appointed You to judge the living and the dead. We confess, Lord, that apart from Your mercy, we could not stand before You. But we thank You that You bore our judgment on the cross and now live to intercede for us.
Teach us to live each day in light of that final day. Give us grace to walk in holiness, to repent quickly, and to trust You fully. May our lives bear witness to Your truth, and may our hearts rest in Your promises. Keep us watchful and faithful, for You are coming again.
Come quickly, Lord Jesus. Amen.