MY ATTORNEY
Kathy Bernard - Publisher

"For as the lightning comes from the east and shines as far
as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of man."
Matthew 24:27
 

What will that final judgment be like when Jesus, our Savior comes?  Will all our sins fly to the forefront of our minds, leaving us cowering in fear?  Who will intercede for us?  The bible teaches, " "For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—(Who is) the man Christ Jesus." 1 Timothy 2:5  

Here is a fictitious story that exemplifies this thinking: 

After living what I thought was a decent life, my time on earth had come to an end.  I found myself on a bench in the waiting room of what looked like a courthouse.  I was frightened and afraid when I heard my name being called as a door swung open to reveal another room.  I was instructed to come in and have a seat by the defense table.  What was this place?  Why was I there?  Most importantly, what did this mean?

As these fearful questions ran through my head, I looked around and saw the "prosecutor" entering the room and taking his place on the other side.  He was a villainous looking man whose lips curled derisively when he looked at me as if he knew the secrets of my heart.  He had an air of malevolence that seemed to invade the entire room. 

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.  He did not seem a match for the hateful looking prosecutor who certainly would prevail.  My Attorney appeared too meek and humble to be a match for this arrogant man.  Surely I would lose this case, whatever it was. 

As I sat musing, a corner door in front of the room flew open and there appeared the Judge in flowing robes.  He commanded such a powerful presence, those in the small room grew still and attentive.  My eyes were riveted on Him and I could not look away.  He took His seat behind the bench and said in a thunderous voice, "Let us begin!" 

The prosecutor rose and said, "My name is Satan and I am here to prove to you why this sinner belongs in hell."  Then he proceeded to tell of the lies that I told, things that I had stolen, and the past when I cheated others.  He told of horrible perversions that were once in my life and the more he spoke, I sank deeper in my seat. 

I was so embarrassed and ashamed that I could not lift my head or look at anyone. My Attorney sat with great dignity and humble confidence 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 before the Judge, I was equally upset at my Attorney Who sat there silent, not offering any form of defense.  Whatever was happening in this courtroom, I knew I would lose heavily.  I know I had been guilty of all those things but I had done some good too, and I tried hard to be a better person.  Couldn't that at least equal out part of the harm I had done? 

Satan pointed a finger at me and shouted, "This sinner belongs in hell!  He is guilty of all that I have charged and there is not a person who can prove otherwise."  He smirked confidently and said, "I rest my case."  With a flourish of his hand, he seemed to seal my fate. 

My Attorney then stood silently for a moment as Satan's accusations hung in the air, unperturbed by Satan's damming words, and asked if He might approach the bench.  Over the boisterous objection of Satan, the Judge beckoned my Attorney to come forward and as He started walking, I was able to see something I had not noticed before;  His full splendor and majesty.  This humble Man was moving with confidence.  There was something about Him, something that preyed on my mind.  It was then that I realized why He seemed so familiar; this was Jesus Christ Who was representing me.  My Lord and Savior.  My heart gave a great leap and tears filled my eyes as I watched Him.  He stopped before the bench and softly said one word to the Judge, "Father", and then slowly turned to address the court. 

"Satan was 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 sinner deserves to be punished."  Jesus gave a deep sigh and turned to the Father with outstretched arms and proclaimed, "However, I paid for this man's sins, all of them.  I died on the cross so that this person might have eternal life.  He took my gift of forgiveness and salvation through faith, and has followed the path I set before him so now he belongs to me." 

"I have written his name in the Book of Life with all those throughout the ages who have accepted and believed in me.  No one can snatch him from Me.  Satan must understand he no longer has power over this man.  This man is not to be given justice, but rather Your mercy."  

Jesus looked at His Father and said, "There is nothing else that needs to be done.  I have done it all.  This man is mine!" And with this powerful statement hanging in the air, He sat down in the silence of the room.

The Judge leaned forward and the following words resounded from His lips:  "This man is free.  The penalty for him has already been paid in full with the blood of my Son".  God lifted His mighty hand and slammed His gavel down and said, "Case dismissed!"

As Jesus lovingly embraced and led me away, I could hear Satan ranting and raving, "I won't give up.  I won't, I tell you.  You won't get them all when I finish with them. There are many, many more souls out there that I can claim.  Those are the ones I will seek to devour.  I will get the next one, you'll see", he screamed as the angels of the Lord dragged him out of the room.  "Just watch and see!"

"Have you ever lost a case?", I asked Jesus.  He gently smiled and replied, "Everyone who has come and asked me to represent them has received the same verdict as you: 'Paid In Full'."

It was then He showed me His Hands.

Will you be one of the 'others' that Satan spoke of in this fictitious story, blinded by the sin he beautifully wraps, becoming one of his crowd doing the things that God abhors?  Or will you remain faithful to Jesus Who says, "I am the way, the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through Me." - John 14:6

However, all who have been rooted in belief and faith in Jesus Christ will rise one glorious day in joyful exultation and triumph over death forever.