After living what I felt was a “decent” life, my time on earth came to the end. The first thing I remember is sitting on a bench in the waiting room of what I thought to be a courthouse.
The doors opened and I was instructed to come in and have a seat by the defense table. As I looked around I saw the “prosecutor.”
He was a villainous-looking gent who snarled as he stared at me. He definitely was the most evil person I have ever seen.
I sat down and looked to my left and there sat my Attorney…a kind and gentle-looking man whose appearance seemed so familiar to me. I felt I knew Him.
The corner door flew open and there appeared the Judge in full flowing robes. He commanded an awesome presence as He moved across the room. I couldn’t take my eyes off of Him.
As He took His seat behind the bench, He said, “Let us begin.”
The prosecutor rose and said, “My name is Satan and I am here to show you why this man belongs in hell.”
He proceeded to tell of lies that I had told, things that I had stolen and in the past when I had cheated others. Satan told of other horrible perversions that were once in my life and the more he spoke, the further down in my seat I sank.
I was so embarrassed I couldn’t look at anyone…especially my own Attorney…as the devil told of sins that even I had completely forgotten about.
As upset as I was at Satan for telling all these things about me, I was equally upset at my Attorney who sat there…silently…not offering any form of defense at all.
I knew I was guilty of those things, but I had done some good in my life…couldn’t that at least equal out part of the harm I’d done?
Satan finished with a fury. “This man belongs in hell, he is guilty of all that I have charged and there is not one person who can prove otherwise.”
When it was His turn, my Attorney first asked if He might approach the bench. The Judge allowed this over the strong objection of Satan. The Judge beckoned my Attorney to come forward.
As He got up and started walking, I was able to see Him in His full splendor and majesty. I realized why He seemed so familiar; this was Jesus representing me, my Lord and Savior.
He stopped at the bench and softly said to the Judge, “Hi, Dad.”
Then He turned to address the court. “Satan is correct in saying that this man has sinned. I won’t deny any of these allegations. And yes, the wages of sin is death, and yes, this man deserves to be punished.”
Jesus took a deep breath. Turning to His Father with outstretched arms, He proclaimed, “However, I died on the cross so that this person might have eternal life. He has accepted Me as his Lord and Savior, so he is Mine.”
My Lord continued. “His name is written in the Book of Life and no one can snatch him from Me. Satan still does not understand yet that this man is not to be given justice, but rather mercy.”
As Jesus sat down, He paused and looked at His Father. “There is nothing else that needs to be done. I’ve done it all.”
The Judge lifted His mighty hand and slammed the gavel down. The following words bellowed from His lips…
“This man is free.
The penalty for him has already been paid in full.
Case dismissed!”
As my Lord led me away, I could hear Satan ranting and raving, “I won’t give up, I will win the next one.”
I asked Jesus as He gave me my instructions where to go next, “Have you ever lost a case?”
Christ lovingly smiled. “Everyone who has come to Me and asked Me to represent them has received the same verdict as you…
Paid In Full!
