Writing as a Christian, I know I have accepted Christ's blood as a payment for my sin. I have been accepted into His family, without spot or blemish. Christ has made payment for my sin with His atoning death. It is faith in Him, and what He has done for me that help me get through so many trials in this life. So what happens at the end of my life?
I'm in court, and I'm accused of all kinds of crimes. The prosecuting attorney is a being by the name of Lucifer. And he's good. He somehow knows everything I've ever done. He approaches the judge with evidence of every crime I have ever committed from the time I was born.
I know I'm guilty. My attorney knows I'm guilty. The judge and jury know I'm guilty. There is no refuting the evidence that has been shown. My mind races with excuses.
"But my mother was mean to me. I was bullied. At least I wasn't as bad as...."
It's no use. There are no excuses. I knew what I was doing. And so many times, I had that little voice, telling me not to do it. But I didn't care. In that moment, I wanted to disobey. There had been something exciting about being bad. And here I was, on trial for so many things. I don't dare look around the room. I keep my eyes on my fidgeting feet. I don't want to see the anger and hurt in everyone's eyes.
My attorney puts his hand on my shoulder and tells me everything will be okay.
How can he say that, I wonder. Everyone knows I did all of those things.
"In light of the evidence," continues Lucifer, "I submit that this man is worthy of the death penalty."
Gasps spread throughout the courtroom.
"And," he continues, "he is also worthy of incarceration in a place created for the eternal punishment for all who are guilty of such crimes."
Death.
The word hits a lot harder than I expected. I'm not really sure why. I knew that's what he was going to try for. My attorney had already told me that, and "prepared me" for the outcome.
How could I be prepared for this?
Death.
I know I deserve it.
Death.
Why did I do all those stupid things? If I had only....
My attorney looks at me and manages a small smile. But I can see the pain in his eyes.
Lucifer pauses, as he looks at me for a moment. There is a small smile there as well. And there is a gleam in his eye that cuts through my very soul.
Panic wells deep inside, and I can feel myself losing hope. The hot, prickly sensation starts around my eyes, and quickly spreads to the rest of my face.
He's got me. He knows it. It's over.
"The prosecution rests," Lucifer says, and he sits down smugly.
He's won, I think to myself. My attorney told me to trust him. He said it would all be okay. I had told him about the things I had done. He assured me he would take care of it. But the prosecution had brought up things I had not told my attorney about. Things I had never told anyone. Things I had forgotten I had even done.
I had disappointed so many people. I had hurt so many people. I had failed the one chance I had been given at this thing called life. And now I was about to hear my attorney plead my case. But what could he say? There was no excusing my behavior. I had known better. Sure, there were the little white lies that had been told. So what? And there were countless others that I had excused because "everyone did them." But some of the that were brought out into the light in the courtroom were so hideous, I just knew everyone there must hate me.
The judge looks at me for a moment. Is that contempt in his eye? Pity? Disgust? Wrath?
My attorney rises.
Here we go.
"Father," He begins, "this is my child. I have chosen him. You have chosen him. He is ours. And I have already paid the price, and taken the punishment for his sin."
"Objection, Your Honor," Lucifer interrupts, quickly standing.
The majestic Judge looks at Lucifer.
"Overruled," He says.
"But Your Honor," Lucifer tries again, "he also..."
"Silence!" The Judge says.
His voice fills the courtroom with the sound of a thousand thunders. Like sitting next to the speakers at a too-loud concert, the deep resonance vibrates every cell in my body. Suddenly, I see The Judge surrounded by an aura of light that I had never even comprehended. It fills the courtroom with such magnificence that it must be shining right through the walls, and filling the entire universe.
The Judge looks at me, and suddenly, I understand the look in His eyes. It isn't pity or wrath, only... it is. And it was every other feeling I had ever known. And they are all bundled together, and wrapped up completely in love.
I suddenly understood what I had heard, but never knew until that very moment. His contempt was for the sin, not for me. His wrath was against the disobedience I had lived. But right then, when He looked at me, I could see that love had conquered the sin. His wrath had already been expressed. It had been poured out on my Attorney over two thousand years ago. The love is so deep and so true, I can no longer stand.
I'm aware of my body going prostrate before Him. Although it seem involuntary, I wouldn't fight it even if I thought I could. As I glance over, I see the entire room has joined me. Including the prosecution table. But their reactions are different.
Deep growling sounds now leave the mouth of the sharp dressed attorney. He looks at me, and the hatred in his eyes sends a shudder down my spine. Guttural hissing sounds are thrown my way, and I would be terrified if it weren't for one thing. My Attorney stands between me and the horrid creature being forced to his knees by an unseen force. This Attorney had been so calm through everything, I often wondered if He would be tough enough to do me any good. And in this wonderful, terrible moment, He still stood so calmly, and serenely. It filled me with a peace I have never known.
And I understand.
It had been explained to me many times. That God was a judge, requiring me to be punished, and Jesus came and rescued me. God sent Jesus to pay the price. God loved me. He isn't a terrible being, hoping to crush us, and only allowing grace because of what Christ did on the cross. He is a loving, merciful God who wants us to spend our eternities in the beautiful place He has prepared for us.
Don't misunderstand...He is also a just God. And sin will not be tolerated. Without the blood of Christ, who offered Himself as a sacrifice to atone for our sin, we are lost. Separated from God for eternity.
But this trial wasn't for God to judge me. It wasn't for a jury to decide if I was guilty or innocent. Everyone knew I was guilty. It wasn't to decide on a punishment. The punishment was already decided. Eternity in Hell. Separated eternally from the loving God who had created me. But that price was paid when Christ died on the cross. He endured the wrath of God as a punishment for my sin.
This trial wasn't even for me to see how much God loved me, or show His mercy.
This trial was to once again put Satan in his place.
My eternity is secured.
Your day in the courtroom is coming.
Who is your attorney?
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