The Great Pardon

…He is near that justifieth me…
Isaiah 50:8

The story has been told numerous times of the suspected criminal as he stood before the judge. The charge had been read and the courtroom saw it as an open and shut case. The evidence was overwhelming against the suspect. Not only was there physical evidence, but there were also witnesses that stood ready to testify against the criminal. Finally the judge heard all that he needed to hear. The facts were undeniable. The testimonies were indisputable. The judge raised the gavel and slammed it against the desk and thundered out a loud, “Guilty”.

How could this be? The criminal knew he was guilty, but was there no way he could obtain a little mercy? Was there no way to receive a little leniency? What could be done? Just as the convicted man hung his head in shame and remorse, the doors leading into the courtroom burst open. The criminal turned his head to see the judge’s son walking through the door coming straight at him. Had this son come only to further humiliate? Was he going to add pain to the punishment? All at once the son took the criminal by the hand and led him to the judge’s seat. There at the seat the son looked into the eyes of the judge and said, “Father, I know he deserves death for his crimes, but father, please have mercy. I believe he has value. I believe he will be worth something. Father, I know he is guilty and his account is bleak; so Father, put his account into my folder. I have done no wrong. I have committed no crime. Let him bear my name. Let him walk with me. And as long as he bares my name, let him be justified. As long as I am by his side, let him considered acceptable.” The judge through the gavel to the bench and declared for all to hear, “Justified!”

Dear friend, this is what happened in the courtroom of your heart. You were guilty before God and were deserving of spiritual death. You had no hope. Your only plea was, “Guilty”. The charges had been levied. The witnesses had spoken. You were without defense. Then all of a sudden, the second person of the Trinity burst into your life and declared you as His possession. He gave you the change to go free. He gave you the chance to bear His name. And as long as you bear his name, you bear His record. He knew you had value. He saw you as important. When the world cast you off as a nobody, the great God of heaven looked your way and saw your potential. He reached down and saved your soul, and set you free. Oh, what a Savior.