But you will die like mere mortals and fall like every other ruler” (vv. 6–7, NLT). These human judges are “gods” in that they can exercise judgment like God does.

Like Bartimaeus, ‘Jesus Is Calling You’ User’s Guide to Sunday, Oct. 27 Detail on stained glass showing Jesus healing Bartimaeus in St. Mary Abbot's Church on Kensington High Street in London.