Jesus did not come into the world to condemn it. The world already stood condemned. Jesus loved. In the Gospel of John, Jesus says so much himself when he stated that he does not judge and if he did, it is the Father and he. I judge and condemn with human standards. Jesus only loves. Judgment, in the ultimate sense, rests with Jesus and the Father at the consummation of the new heaven and the new earth. So, with the psalmist, I bless the LORD every day. God’s hands are open to me; he blesses me for my satisfaction. He watches over all who love him. And that is the mission of Jesus followers; announcing to the condemned the blessing that awaits them. Isaac blessed Jacob even in deceit. As I give my life away for those who are condemned, I then am a living sacrifice which is spiritual worship. Worship is so much more than being entertained by our favorite worship leader, band, choir and speaker. In fact, worship cannot be entertainment; when it is, we are no longer worshipping God but human. Human thinks way too highly of himself; sober judgment must return to man. Blessing is not judgment when it is rooted in being a living sacrifice. Think about that!
Scripture texts are taken from the two-year daily lectionary cycle which follows the liturgical calendar and begins on the First Sunday of Advent.
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