March 23, 2026
Judge Me, O God - Part 1
John 8:42-45
03/23/2026
42 Jesus said to them, ``If God were your Father, you
would love me, for I came from God and I am here.
I came not of my own accord, but he sent me.
43 Why do you not understand what I say? It is
because you cannot bear to hear my word.
44 You are of your father the devil, and your will is
to do your father's desires. He was a murderer
from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the
truth, because there is no truth in him. When he
lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he
is a liar and the father of lies.
45 But because I tell the truth, you do not believe
me.'' (ESV)
Yesterday, the Fifth Sunday in Lent, is called ``Judica
Sunday'' from the first word of the Introit. ``Judge me, O God,
and plead my cause against an unholy nation,'' comes from Psalm
43. The historic Gospel lesson was an account of a discussion
between the religious leaders and Jesus which occurred about six
months before Jesus was crucified. In this Gospel lesson Jesus
speaks of their world view, of their inability to hear His words.
Jesus said to them, ``If God were your Father, you
would love me, for I came from God and I am here. I
came not of my own accord, but he sent me. Why do you
not understand what I say? It is because you cannot
bear to hear my word. You are of your father the
devil, and your will is to do your father's desires.
He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing
to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him.
When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for
he is a liar and the father of lies. But because I
tell the truth, you do not believe me.''
In the Collect, the prayer of the Church, we said:
Almighty God, by Your great goodness mercifully look
upon Your people that we may be governed and preserved
evermore in body and soul; through Jesus Christ, Your
Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the
Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
The prayer asks God to grant us faith to hear His Word, that
we may be redeemed from sin and eternal death. We flee to His
mercy, knowing that we, like the religious leaders, cannot bear
to hear the word of truth unless our hearts are opened by the
working of the Holy Spirit.
This week we will have the pleasure of learning the truth of
Jesus as He confesses that He is the Son of God who takes away
the sins of the world. May our Lord grant you His grace and
mercy so that you hear His Word. Amen.