Consider the Judge before whom we shall appear. He is Jesus Christ "who was appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead" (Acts x. 42). "We must all be manifested before the judgment-seat of Christ" (2 Cor. v. 10). This is one of the distinctive offices of Our Lord. He is the Mediator both of grace and of justice; the medium of God's mercy to the repentant, the mouth-piece of divine judgment on obstinate sinners. "Neither doth the Father judge any man, but hath given all judgment to the Son" (John v. 22). "Who is He that shall condemn? Christ Jesus that died" (Rom. viii. 34). Our Lord was judged and condemned by every class of men; He is the first to whom justice has to be done. He suffered from calumnies, misapprehension, unjust judgment, the intensity of all human wickedness during His life on earth. In return He must be elevated in the sight of all men, and compensated in proportion to the injustice done; He is therefore made the Judge of the world. "He hath prepared His throne in judgment, and He shall judge the world in equity, He shall judge the people in justice" (Ps. ix. 8, 9). Do not forget this office of Christ, and hold Him in awe accordingly, as well as in affection. It should fill us with confidence to think that our judge is He who has experience of our infirmities, who died for us and always makes intercession for us.
