Paid in Full
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 com-manded
an awesome presence as he moved across the room and 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 how I had cheated others in the past. 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 knew 1 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 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 Satan's strong objections, 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,
this was Jesus representing me-my Lord and my Savior.
He stopped at the bench and spoke softly to the Judge, then 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 sin is death, and
this man deserves to he punished.'
Jesus took a deep breath and turned to his Father with outstretched arms and
proclaimed. "However, 1 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 he 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.'"