Question:”Have you ever done anything that has caused you guilt or shame?
Most likely.
On this very day you find yourself dressed in a baggy orange jumpsuit, with your hands and feet chained together crouched over in a dark 6×8’ prison cell. You’ve been arrested for crimes you thought would simply go away and that no one would ever know about. A burly officer comes to get you and lets you know its your trail day. As you’re seated on trail your crimes are being read out to the jury and all those in the room. You feel the guilt and shame that you’ve tried so hard to mask rise up inside of you. If found guilty you will be facing the death penalty. The jury goes out to deliberate. You sit there growing more and more anxious knowing that your fate is in their hands. It could all be over in a moment. The jury reenters the courtroom, the judge is handed the verdict and begins to read.
“In the case of *insert your name*, I find you NOT GUILTY. The room falls to a startling silence. Your heart drops. You think to yourself “how can this be?’ You know you committed those crimes, you know you are guilty, you know the horrible things you did. You look at the judge as he says, “you are free to go.” You ask him, “how is this possible?” At that moment a man steps forward. This man had no beauty or majesty to attract you to Him, there was nothing special about His appearance. You stare at Him in confusion. He steps closer to you and takes you by the hand and staring in your eyes with compassion He begins to speak. “I was despised and rejected by men. I am a man of sorrows and familiar with suffering. I took up your infirmities and carried your sorrow. I was pierced with your transgressions. I was crushed for your iniquities. There was a debt to be paid because of your many sins BUT because of my great love for you *insert your name*, I have paid that debt. I have taken away your sins. I have removed your guilt and shame. The verdict has been decided and you are innocent. You are free from your impending judgement. I have taken away your death penalty and I have given you life instead.
He bends down and begins to remove the chains that are fastened around your feet. He rises up and begins removing the chains from your hands. He looks at you and says, I have seen the sin you have committed but I want you to know you are forgiven. I have forgiven you *insert your name*. I want you to know I love you with an everlasting love and that will never change. I understand the suffering you have experienced in life. I understand the guilt and shame that tries to suffocate you. I understand what it’s like to feel all alone. BUT because of my love for you YOU ARE FREE FROM ALL OF THAT TODAY! Your sins are remembered no more.
You drop your head and tears begin to flood down your cheeks. He wraps His arms around you and in that moment you know you are truly free. “Go” He says. As you walk out of the courtroom you realize you never got this mans name. You turn around and call out across the room, “Sir, what is your name?” His gaze meets yours and He says,
“My name is Jesus Christ.”
The End.
Scripture references:
Isaiah 53
Isaiah 61
Ephesians 1:7
Colossians 1:13-14
Jeremiah 31:3
Update:
I am $1,483 from my goal of 12,000 by September 1st!! If you would like to help me get there by donating click the “Support Me” tab over on the left!
Also, My team and I will be headed back to Georgia September 2nd for more training. After that, Guatemala here we come! 🙂
THANK YOU!!!
