The Verdict

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(Originally written for Douglas County Publishing: Pastor's Meditation November 1, 2016)

If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God.  Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses.  How much more severely do you think a man deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God under foot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified him, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace?  For we know him who said, “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” and again, “The Lord will judge his people.”  It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.  (Hebrews 10:26-31)

A couple of weeks ago, I was called to the courthouse for jury duty.  Sitting there with a room full of other people, I knew that I might be one of the thirteen jurors selected for the trial.  That possibility wasn’t really how I planned or hoped to spend my week, but sure enough, I was picked.

I’ve read plenty of books, and watched tons of shows and movies with jury trials, but I have never experienced it personally.  Once we were selected, the judge admonished us to listen to the facts of the case, and not be influenced by outside opinions.  We listened to the arguments of the plaintiffs and the defendants.  We heard the statements and cross-examination of witnesses that had a stake in the case, or who offered expert opinions.  We, the jurors, were instructed throughout the trial to not come to a conclusion until the case was given to us for deliberation.

When you think about all that goes into a single jury trial, it’s a significant experience.  The parties involved truly believe their side is right and to be favored.  The process of bringing everything before a judge and jury is taxing in terms of time, energy, emotions, and certainly money.  The decision that is reached should not come flippantly, but requires careful deliberation of everything that has been heard and documented.  The system itself is in place to seek justice.  In terms of the case we heard, the verdict, while we believe to be just, still did not feel easy to give because of the effect that it has on the lives of real people. 

As I went through the process, though, the image of God as a judge was not far from my mind.  It became all the more vivid the more I thought about it.  He as the one in the place of keeping order, procedure, and determining what is right.  Us, each and every man, woman, boy, and girl, sitting in the defendant seat with all of our sins.  God in his perfection and intentions for us is also likely who is in the plaintiff’s seat bringing a just case against us.  A few of the witnesses called to testify might try to excuse us by speaking to our relatively good character, but many more can speak to the wrongs we have done in public or in private.  The case is easy, and the deliberations are short.  The verdict in the case of (insert your name here) vs. God is guilty.    

            But if we pick the passage up a few verses later, we read this: You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.  For in just a very little while, “He who is coming will come and will not delay.  But my righteous one will live by faith.  And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him.”  But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved.  (Hebrews 10:36-39) 

            “We are…those who believe and are saved.”  The verdict is guilty, and yet we are saved?  This is the good news.  This is what Jesus offers to all who believe.  Yes, every single one of us justly and rightly deserves death and condemnation and hell, for our sins.  Yet if we have received the love of Jesus Christ by grace through faith, he shows us mercy that delivers us from the punishment we deserve! 

            Each of us, if we are honest with ourselves, knows we are guilty.  We know we have wronged someone, and if we believe a God exists, I’m sure the majority of us would say we have wronged him even more.  Those sins, whether we consider them great or small compared to the sins of others, are enough to convict you and me of being sinners.  Yet God sent us a Savior, Jesus Christ, and he steps up in our case and explains, “I have taken ownership of (your name here)’s crimes and served their sentence.  Let them go free and forgiven.” 

            God does just that.  Not because we’re not that bad.  Not because our sins aren’t a big deal.  But because Jesus loves us, because he redeems us, because he gives us eternal life.  This is why Jesus is the best news for anyone who turns to him!  He’s not just a good friend or teacher of morals, but when we were dead in our transgressions, deserving of his wrath, “Because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ” (Ephesians 2:4-5).  Because of Jesus, it is as if we are not guilty, and for that, we are sentenced to eternal life with God!  Turn to him and know his love today.