The judge peered down at me.
"Do you have anything to say in your defense?"
What could I say? I was guilty of every sin that had been brought against me.
My Adversary was good…very good.
He had used witnesses against me…He had used Scripture against me. And he had used truth – I couldn’t deny one word of his accusations. I was guilty…
"No, Your Honor. The defense rests."
"Then I suggest you begin your closing arguments."
I had no closing arguments. How can you argue, when you know you're guilty of every wrongdoing, every errant act, every thoughtless word – I had SINNED!
I was about to stand up and plead guilty, when a note was passed to me. It read: "Someone is here to speak for you."
I turned and looked into the softest eyes of the strongest face I have ever seen.
And He began to speak for me.
He used His own witness…He used Scripture. And He used truth. He finished with a simple, yet profound, statement:
"So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus." (Romans 8:1)
"Agreed," said the judge, as he pounded his gavel. "Not guilty."
I thought of this little courtroom drama when I read this week's "Bible Pick 'Ems." It comes from the book of I John:
"My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous." (1 John 2:1)
John offers reassurance to us when we're feeling guilty and condemned. We know we have sinned. And Satan wastes no time in pointing fingers at us.
"For the accuser of our brothers and sisters…[is] the one who accuses them before our God day and night." (Revelation 12:10)
He is good…very good.
But don't give up hope!!
We have the best defense attorney in the universe!
And He is pleading our case!
Jesus is our Advocate, our Defender – and He speaks His truth. He has already suffered the penalty in our place. We can't be tried for a case that no longer exists.
"Who then will condemn us? No one – for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God's right hand, pleading for us." (Romans 8:34)
“He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf.” (Hebrews 7:25)
So, don't be afraid to ask Jesus to plead your case – He has already won it!!
What is the biggest "case" that Jesus has won for you?
"When in doubt, search God out!"
So true, love this.
ReplyDeleteOhhh WOW Sharon... I so miss this and YOU! This is so beautiful! Your opening was so wonderful and well written! I hung on every word!
ReplyDeleteThe VERDICT!!! Awesome!
....OUR ADVOCATE... GLORIOUS!!!
The WORD! Perfectly chosen... 1 John 2:1
And your ending question:
What is the biggest "case" that Jesus has won for you? how many answered this?
It just makes me ponder and ponder over the big and the small and for me ALL were the biggest case at the time, so I guess the biggest is yet to be... my final one! The winning of souls for eternity... of mine, of dear ones, of others that I just planted a seed... nothing can be greater than our salvation, though every battle and each case
Jesus has won for me barely pales in comparison.
I too simple love these words so tenderly written from your keyboard to my heart and my mind to reflect on how powerful our Defender is and Our Defense! How much was paid for our freedom! To walk without condemnation! Thank you... I think I needed this to release me from self condemnation of some not too godly behavior recently. Bless you... I am so blessed each Bible Pick'em and each blog post you write...
I don't know how you zip through mine in an hour... when I could sit an hour in each of yours and my comments take up the rest of my time. But each one really strikes a cord and speaks to me! I am so thankful for your feedback and intended to catch up yesterday a little and never even got to any... today only this and some of Denise's. I'll have to do like you and dedicate a day and hour to you. (I have about 18 waiting for me to comment on just for you, maybe there were more... 50 total on just special bloggers that still visit me like you.)
No doubt, I am searching God out! I miss you and love you! You are such a great writer, sister and friend!!! May God bless you and fill you daily with answers for all your needs and all you're asking of Him. I'm continuing to pray for you and yours! Thank you for your concern and love for me... I'm so thankful you alerted me to the earthquake
Never felt it! Hope I never do! Thanks for praying! Love, peace, BIG HUGS... and so much more,
Peggy