Case Dismissed

"And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. " Rev. 20:12-13

I had the best of attorneys. There was no denying that. He had never lost a case. He had refused a lot of them, but of the ones he chose to defend, none ever lost. Still, as I faced the judge, I worried. Glancing over to the prosecutor’s table, I knew I faced a lawyer who seldom lost. He had the reputation about town of being the meanest attorney in the country. He hated loosing. Yes, I had a right to be frightened.

The gavel fell and the prosecutor began to lay out the charges against me. They were massive. I had broken more laws than I knew existed, but this man knew them all – it seemed like he had been with me every time I committed a crime. He knew the details, every one. Down to the color of the shirt I wore on that eventful day, there was nothing hidden from this man.

I kept waiting for my attorney to speak up – to object like they did on “Mattlock” or “Ironsides.” He was silent. Point after filthy, incriminating point, the prosecutor made the case against me. I felt the eyes of every person in the room bore into the back of my head. “How could he have been so stupid?” “Could a man who claimed to be a preacher really do that?” “He is filthy!” “Condemn him! Execute him! He must die!” I more felt it than heard it, but I knew what they were thinking. I was thinking it myself. I had failed as a pastor. I had even failed as a compassionate human being. There was no hope for me.

Crime upon crime – and still my defender was silent, though, I must admit, when he looked at me, I saw nothing but compassion in his kind eyes. I could tell he liked me – even though I would soon stand condemned. I would be his first loss. I knew it. The audience knew it. The judge knew it. The prosecutor knew it. A few more accusations, a few more bits of evidence, that’s all it would take and I was as good as dead.

Finally, after what seemed like days, the state’s attorney rested his case. Slowly, my lawyer stood. I had little hope that he could save me. The evidence was too great. Could we plea bargain? What did I have to bargain with? Nothing. I was lost. At last he speaks:

“Your Honor. You have heard the charges against my client. They are massive. What’s more, the evidence is undeniable. My client did all of these things.” My heart sank to its lowest depth ever. “But, Your Honor, I want you to know that his debt to society has been paid.” A murmur filters through the crowd.

“Who would take this man’s side?” “Who would pay the price for such grievous crimes?” I heard it all. They were right. No one would take my side.

“Who paid this man’s debt?” asked the Judge.

“I did, Your Honor. I, Jesus Christ, paid the price for this man’s sins.” A roar of approval arises from the gathered crowd.

The gavel bangs. The Judge shouts over the din in the courtroom, “Case dismissed!”

Unfolding the Rosebud
By Charlie Gilchrist

It is only a tiny rosebud,
A flower of GOD's design;
But I cannot unfold the petals
With these clumsy hands of mine.

The secret of unfolding flowers Is not known to such as I. GOD opens this flower so sweetly, When in my hands they fade and die
.
If I cannot unfold a rosebud,
This flower of GOD's design,
Then how can I think I have wisdom To unfold this life of mine?

So I'll trust in Him for His leading Each moment of every day. I will look to him for His guidance Each step of the pilgrim way.

The pathway that lies before me, Only my Heavenly Father knows. I'll trust Him to unfold the moments, Just as He unfolds the rose.

"It is God's will that by doing right you should silence the ignorance
of the foolish. As servants of God, live as free people, yet do not use
your freedom as a pretext for evil. Honor everyone." ~1 Peter 2:15-17

Each new days brings an opportunity to do some little thing that will
help to make a better world, that will bring God's kingdom a little
nearer to being realized on earth. We can take each day's happenings as
opportunities for something we can do for God. In that spirit, a
blessing will attend all that we do. When we offer this day's service
to God, we are sharing in God's work. We do not have to do great
things.