>

>After living a "decent" life, my time on earth came to

>an end. The first thing I remember is sitting on a bench

>in the waiting room of what I thought to be a court house.

>The doors opened and I was instructed to come in and

>have a seat by the defense table. As I looked around I

>saw the "prosecutor." He was a villainous looking gent who

>snarled as he stared at me. He definitely was the most evil

>person I have ever seen.

>

>I sat down and looked to my left and there sat my lawyer,

>a kind and gentle looking man whose appearance seemed

>familiar to me. The corner door flew open and there

>appeared the judge in full flowing robes. He commanded an awesome presence

>as he moved across the room. I couldn't

>take my eyes off of him. As he took his seat behind the

>bench, he said, "Let us begin." The prosecutor rose and said,

>"My name is Satan and I am here to show you why this man

>belongs in hell." He proceeded to tell of lies that I told,

>things that I had stolen, and in the past when I cheated

>others. Satan told of other horrible perversions that were

>once in my life and the more he spoke, the further down in

>my seat I sank. I was so embarrassed that I couldn't look

>at anyone, even my own lawyer, 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, I was equally

>upset at my representative who sat there silently not

>offering any form of defense at all. I know I had been guilty

>of those things, but I had done some good in my life --

>couldn't that at least equal out part of the harm I've done?

>Satan finished with a fury and said, "This man belongs in hell,

>he is guilty of all that I have charged and there is not a

>person who can prove otherwise."

>

>When it was his turn, my lawyer first asked if he might

>approach the bench. The judge allowed this over the strong objection of

>Satan, and beckoned him to come forward. As

>he got up and started walking, I was able to see him in his

>full splendor and majesty. I realized why he seemed so

>familiar. This was Jesus representing me, my Lord and my

>Savior. He stopped at the bench and softly said to the

>judge, "Hi Dad," and then he turned to address the court.

> "Satan was correct in saying that this man had sinned, I

>won't deny any of these allegations. And yes the wage of

>sin is death, and this man deserves to be punished." Jesus

>took a deep breath and turned to his Father with
 

>outstretched arms and proclaimed, "However, I died

>on the cross so that this person might have eternal life and

>he has accepted me as his Savior, so he is mine." My Lord continued with,

>"His name is written in the book of life

>and no one can snatch him from me. Satan still does not

>understand. This man is not to be given justice, but rather

>mercy." As Jesus sat down, he quietly paused, looked at

>his Father and replied, "There is nothing else that needs

>to be done. I've done it all."

>

>The judge lifted his mighty hand and slammed the gavel

>down. The following words bellowed from his lips... "This

>man is free. The penalty for him has already been paid in

>full. Case dismissed." As my Lord led me away, I could

>hear Satan ranting and raving, "I won't give up, I'll win

>the next one."

>

>I asked Jesus as he gave me my instructions where to go

>next, "Have you ever lost a case?"; Christ lovingly smiled

>and said, "Everyone that has come to me and asked me to

>represent them has received the same verdict as you,

>"Paid in Full."