I stood before the judge. The courtroom was full of those waiting for their turn and attorneys who were constantly looking at their watches. The bailiff had called my case, the case number along with the citation for driving drunk and resisting arrest. I stood there disheveled and very much alone. An attorney had been offered but I had refused. I just want to get this over with.
There was a long silence, as I assumed the judge was reviewing the arrest report, case file and my record. Finally, she looked up and said, “Mr. Weston, I see this is not the first time you have been before this court. You were arrested a little over a year ago for driving while under the influence. Before that drunk and disorderly. And, oh I see, there is even a charge for public lewdness here. Now here you are again and this time you have added resisting arrest. Quite a stellar list of accomplishments. Where is your attorney? Wasn’t one appointed for you? I shook my head and replied, “Yes, your honor, but I refused representation.” She stared down at me, now shaking her head, “Mr. Weston, I advise strongly that you get yourself representation and do it now before I ask you for your plea. I am going to postpone your arraignment and give you a chance to think this over a bit. The charges against you, taken with your record are serious. Be advised if you come back before me without an attorney beside you that I believe you may regret it. Do you understand?” I lowered my head and mumbled, “Yes, your honor.” She shook her head again and said, “Move this case to the end of today’s docket and supply Mr. Weston with a court appointed attorney to advise him. Call the next case.”
I was shuffled to the back of the courtroom and placed in the guarded section where the jail-release defendants were being held. The attending bailiff sat me in the back row while looking through the list of available attorneys. Soon a young man came and tapped me on the shoulder. He said, “My name is Clint Sanders. Why don’t you come with me, so we can see if there is a way out of this mess.” As I looked at him, I knew there was no hope. Jail time and more destruction to my already destroyed life lay ahead. What could he do about it?
The Bible says this, “I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father- Jesus Christ the Righteous One.” (1 John 2:1)
I hate to admit it, but I spent a lot of time in courtrooms during my life. Most every time because I had broken a law of one kind or another. Most all due to my addictions to alcohol or drugs. They led me into a lawless life. Many times, I had lawyers who would represent me and most of them did their best to keep me from the punishment my crimes held. But there was never one of them that said to me, “Listen, John, I want to take your place. I want to stand before the judge and be not only your counsellor but also be the defendant.” Nope, that never happened even once. I bet you would think it would be ridiculous to even think a lawyer would or should. But in the trial of life, we have such an advocate, Jesus Christ.
“All have sinned and fallen of the glory of God.” (Roman 3:23) Everyone of us are criminals if we admit it or not. The Apostle John puts it this way, “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.” (1 John 1:8) But if we can admit this and confess our sinfulness, a miracle happens that is not seen in any courtroom in this world. You see, Jesus as our advocate goes far above and beyond the work of an earthly attorney, for His case is grounded in the work He has done to secure God’s favorable verdict, “There is therefore no condemnation for those who are in Jesus Christ. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Jesus Christ from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law could not do. By sending His Own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.” (Romans 8:1-4)
Do you see it? If you are in Christ and no longer hanging on to your sins, God no longer condemns us. No, we become part of His family. Yes, we are guilty and can’t make the grade on our own. But through the cross and the sacrifice of our Savior, Jesus imputes to us justification. We are made right with God. He is the one who took my sin to the cross, dying under the burden of it; He is the one who rose again to sit at the right hand of the Father now as my advocate. I don’t know if I understand it completely and believe I will be studying it throughout eternity. I can only say, I want it and accept it and believe: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9) The fact is I need this right now! How about you?
Back in that courtroom, I found no joy. I allowed Clint to represent me, but the Judge showed no mercy when we came to trial. I was convicted paid the heavy penalties that came with my crimes. Today I am blessed to know my God is not a merciless judge. He has allowed His Son to not only represent me but stand in my place. I can only be humbled knowing this. Amazing as it is for us sinners there is no courtroom fairer than that of our Living God. To that I say Amen.
Blessings John
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