My Day In Court

After living a "decent" life my time on earth came to an 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 lawyer, a kind and gentle looking man whose
appearance seemed very familiar to me. 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, and I couldn't take my eyes off 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 told,
things that I stole and in the past when I 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 that I couldn't
look at anyone, even my own lawyer, 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 representative who sat there silently not offering any
form of defense at all. I know I had been 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've done. Satan finished with a fury and said "This man belongs in
hell. he is guilty of all that I have charged and there is not a person who
can prove otherwise. Justice will finally be served this day."

When it was his turn, my lawyer first asked if he might approach the bench.
The judge allowed this over the strong objection of Satan and beckoned him
to come forward. As he got up and started walking I was able to see him now
in his full splendor and majesty. Now I realized why he seemed so familiar.
his was Jesus representing me; my Lord and my Savior. He stopped at the
bench and softly said to the judge, "Hi Dad," and then He turned to address
the court.

"Satan was correct in saying that this man had sinned. I won't deny any of
these allegations. And yes the wages of sins is death and this man deserves
to be punished". Jesus took a deep breath and turned to His Father with
outstretched arms and proclaimed, "However, I died on the cross so that this
person might have eternal life, and he has accepted Me as his Savior, so he
is mine." My Lord continued with "His name is written in the book of life
and no one can snatch him from Me. Satan still does not understand yet, this
man is not to be given justice, but rather mercy."

As Jesus sat down, He quietly paused, looked at his Father and replied,
"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, and 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'll 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 and said, "Everyone that has come to me and asked Me
to represent them has received the same verdict as you, Paid in Full."