The readings for the last Sunday of the Church Year are taken from Malachi 3:13-18, Colossians 1:13-20, and Luke 23:27-43.
The word “judgment” can be positive or negative, depending on whether a person is good or evil. The lesson from Malachi records what so much of both the Old and New Testaments show—the contrast between the Israel according to the flesh and the Israel of God. There were and continue to be Jewish people and Gentile people who complain against God. But there are always people of every tribe and nation who fear God and remain faithful to Him. Such people are always remembered by God. For such people, Judgment Day is the fulfillment of God’s work that delivers us from sin, death, and the devil.
In Colossians, Paul picks up where Malachi left off; God has delivered us already through the redeeming work of Jesus, and will complete that redemption through the course of our life in this world. Jesus is the firstborn, and we have already joined Him through our soul regenerated in His image by His Word and Spirit.
Luke records the contrast between those who fear God and those who don’t, by way of the two criminals who were crucified with Jesus. One criminal hurls insults at Jesus, even as Jesus hangs there to save him. The other criminal, under the burden of judgment, appeals to Jesus to save Him. Jesus was saving him already and confirms that by saying, “Today you will be with me in paradise!”