In January, my best friend Judy and I started studying the Bible together every week, and we have kept it going for months. We laugh, cry and pray together--it is my favorite night of the week, and I look forward to our time together.

Judy was raised in a family that never went to church. Her experience with God and church were all from movies and television--how sad! It was right around Christmas last year when she started asking me questions about Jesus. I asked her if she would be interested in a Bible Study and she excitedly answered, "Yes, most definitely!"

I saw an ad in the paper--a local High School was performing the 'rock opera' musical "Jesus Christ Superstar". I thought it would be a good idea to use the performance as a Bible Study one week,and Judy agreed, so we went.

Amazingly, the musical was excellently well done. The sets, the lighting, the music and especially the singing and acting were professional and flawless. But, there was one scene that caused Judy to react emotionally, and she ran out of the auditorium.

       The Temple Scene--
       MONEYCHANGERS and MERCHANTS
       (Singing) Roll on up, for my price is down.
       Come on in for the best in town.
       Take your pick of the finest wine.
       Lay your bets on this bird of mine.
       Roll on up, for my price is down.
       Come on in for the best in town.
       Take your pick of the finest wine.
       Lay your bets on this bird of mine.
       Name your price, I got everything.
       Come and buy, It's going fast.
       Borrow cash on the finest terms.
       Hurry now while stocks still last.

       JESUS
       My temple should be a house of prayer,
       But you have made it a den of thieves.
       Get out! Get out!

I ran after her...and found her sitting on a chair in the hallway,
crying. I knelt down, and she looked angrily into my eyes. "I thought Jesus was loving and kind and good...! I never thought He'd act like that. Did He?!? Did He really do that?"

I explained to her the entire scene--how the temple was a Holy Place, and promised her we would study the temple further, and more about why Jesus was so angry. After a few minutes, she
calmed down, and we went back in and saw the rest of the performance. In spite of the Temple scene, Judy was so impressed by how 'the kids' did, she bought a video-recording afterward!

During the next Bible Studies we had, I shared these scriptures with Judy, and explained that God is a the God of mercy, but He is also the God of Judgment. In His mercy He corrects us:

"And have you [completely] forgotten the divine word of appeal and encouragement in which you are reasoned with and addressed as sons? My son, do not think lightly or scorn to submit to the correction and discipline of the Lord, nor lose courage and give up and faint when you are reproved or corrected by Him;
For the Lord corrects and disciplines everyone whom He loves, and He punishes, even scourges, every son whom He accepts and welcomes to His heart and cherishes." Hebrews 12:5-6 (Amplified)

"Those whom I [dearly and tenderly] love, I tell their faults and convict and convince and reprove and chasten [I discipline and instruct them]. So be enthusiastic and in earnest and burning with zeal and repent [changing your mind and attitude]." Revelation 3:19 (Amplified)

I saw 'the light" go on in Judy's eyes--she understood! Only God is the perfect Judge, with the perfect balance of Mercy and Justice.

Just recently Judy came to church with me for the first time in her life. The only comment she made to me about afterward about the church service was, "Why didn't you tell me it would be so awesome?"

"Because you weren't ready!"

"Oh, you!" She replied, lovingly tapping me on the arm. We laughed together.

"Thank God it's Sunday!"

"Amen!" Judy answered. We looked at each other and laughed again.