The Righteous Judge: Seeing as Jesus Sees | Advent Devotional Day 10

December 9th, 2025
by Sarah Hines

Advent 2025 DevotionalCore | Peace
December 9, 2025
Written by Susan Pitol Stucco

Title: The Righteous Judge: Seeing as Jesus Sees

Scripture: Isaiah 11:3-5 CEB

“He will delight in fearing the Lord.
He won’t judge by appearances, nor decide by hearsay.
He will judge the needy with righteousness,
and decide with equity for those who suffer in the land.
He will strike the violent with the rod of his mouth;
by the breath of his lips he will kill the wicked.
Righteousness will be the belt around his hips,
and faithfulness the belt around his waist.”

My Reflection:

I can vividly remember the first day I worshipped at The Gathering. The experience is forever etched on my heart, mind and spirit. There was a palpable sense of joy, love and peace welcoming me. A year and a half later, it is evident that this community welcomes all just as Jesus did by “seeing” with love, acceptance and truth. I describe this experience at The Gathering to my friends and family as one that echoes the practice of “seeing as Jesus sees.”
In this passage from Isaiah, the prophet illustrates a picture that the Messiah will bring about a Kingdom based on revering God and marked by living in justice, in truth, and in peace. Rather than looking through a worldly, human perspective, Jesus sees and knows every heart through His divine wisdom and love. His judgment is always right and equitable.

In today’s world, it is easy to be discouraged about the chaos, inequity and injustice happening around us....or perhaps, to us. As we read Isaiah’s words, we can be hope-filled that “all shall be well” as 14th century mystic, Julian of Norwich, assures us that despite experiencing the pain and suffering of this life, Jesus will make all things right. It is by looking into the hearts of humans that Jesus will bring about His kingdom where justice, truth, love and peace will reign.

As followers of Jesus, we can actively participate in bringing about the Kingdom of Jesus to our world today as we strive to love one another as Jesus loves. We can promote dignity and advocate for justice as Jesus calls for dignity and justice. We can emulate righteousness by living a life of integrity as Jesus is our righteousness.

As we live in awe of God, we will align our choices and our hearts with Jesus’ heart, seeing others as Jesus sees them. By living in this way, we become beacons of light pointing others to the One who will always and forever reign in love, in truth and in peace.

My Prayer:

Lord Jesus, You are the Righteous Judge who sees beyond appearances and knows every heart. Thank You for showing us how to delight in the fear of the Lord and for ruling with perfect justice and truth. Help me to reflect Your justice by caring for the needy and the persecuted. Help me to stand for what is right, even when it costs me. Jesus, help me to see others as You see them. Help me to love others as you love them. Help me to believe that all shall be well. In Your holy name, Amen.

Reflection Question:

Think about someone in your family, your school, your workplace, or your community who needs to be seen by you as Jesus sees them. How might your interactions with that individual be guided by or changed by the love of Jesus?

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