The Witness

“He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:21)

It’s important to recognize that Jesus Christ has done something wonderful, and it is personal; He did it for you and me. Those who do not accept Him, often simply don’t understand. God has created true FREEDOM, allowing us great latitude in our thoughts and actions. What will we do with the freedom He has given us? Scripture speaks clearly about our decision: “ALL” of us, it says, “have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). He is holy; we are not. How does God reconcile His utter purity, His JUSTICE, with the love that He has for sinners like us. Our Scripture for today answers that question: “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:21). He gave us Jesus, who paid the price we could not pay. Here is a parable of the human situation:

The Judge is dressed in a long robe. You are the defendant. The prosecuting attorney is a fallen arch-angel, who has presented logical, consistent evidence that you have sinned against the Law of God. The Presiding Judge has just found you “Guilty as Charged” and is about to pronounce sentence. You wait breathlessly, looking downward at the thought of His certain ruling. Just as you feared, “Death!” is His decision, and He calls the bailiff forward. Up to this point, you have remained somewhat concerned about your Defense Attorney, who seems to have a rather “different” name – “Holy Spirit,” they call Him. His cross-examination of witnesses didn’t seem to make you look any less guilty, and you don’t understand why He only called one Witness; the Judge’s Son, of all people! You talked with the Son during recess a couple of times, and found you really liked Him! – you had become friends! but, “too late,” for you are thinking, “I’m certainly going to die!” You really didn’t understand the Son’s testimony; He merely looked at you, and as prompted by the Attorney for the defense, replied, “Yes, he is My friend.” The prosecuting attorney sneered at the case for the defense.

Now the bailiff steps forward, but instead of taking you away to some holding place for execution, he unlocks and opens the shackles that have bound you – you are FREE! Astonishing! To your surprise, you note that the Judge’s Son has once again stepped forward from the gallery of spectators, and He holds out His hands to the bailiff. The shackles are placed upon HIS hands and feet, and He turns to look at you as the Presiding Judge intones “Death!” once more, and the Son is led away. You recall the Son’s name – “Jesus Christ!” you believe it was. Someone had also referred to Him as “Messiah” at one point. In the qualifying questions for His Expert Testimony, it had been revealed that He is “Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace…” (Isaiah 9:6). You wish you had LISTENED to Him more, instead of just talking about your concerns.

“No,” you manage to utter, but it’s too late. The door closes and He is gone! Muffled sounds come through the door and horrified, you realize that the Execution has taken place. Recognizing what has happened, what He has done; you weep! You look to your Attorney, who looks back at you and says, “Christ died for the ungodly” (Romans 5:6). You sob anew with tears of sadness, tears of joy, at the love of Christ, your Friend. Then a little time passes before the door opens once more and in He walks! It is Him! He’s alive! The gallery of spectators is shocked into silence, but you don’t notice them. You only have eyes for the Son… You glance at the bench once more; then again to the Son, who has the marks of death upon His Body, but He is ALIVE – back from the dead! The Judge is wearing white robes; His face is like lightning, and you realize – He is GOD! His Son is the Son of GOD! The Judge pounds the gavel one last time, announcing, “The price has been paid!” The Son walks to you quickly for you are about to fall. He and the defense Attorney hold you up, as the Son looks intently into your eyes and utters these words: “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more” (John 8:11).

The preceding courtroom analogy was created for the many who recognize that Jesus Christ was a notable man who walked the face of this earth and said interesting things, but don’t grasp what He actually DID for you and me! As a race, there is a death sentence over our heads. Like it or not, we have SINNED in the sight of God, and similar to the analogy given earlier, there is nothing WE can do. We need HELP, for it’s apparent that it’s not what we know, but Who we know that counts in life and for all eternity!

The cross is revealed in the following words from the Holy Spirit of God, as revealed to us through the Apostle Paul – “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:21). Corrie Ten Boom, the Dutch woman who was sentenced to death for protecting Jews and was sent to German concentration camps in World War II, said this: “We feel guilty because we ARE guilty.” The Innocent One, Jesus Christ, paid the price for you and me. He died so the guilty might be forgiven, set free, and made alive – forever!

Have you thought about what happens after death? Most don’t want to think about it, and one of the reasons we are so shocked, so DAMAGED personally when someone we know dies, is because in that instant we recognize – it will happen to US! Yes, we loved that person, and yes, the loss of them is like an amputation, the loss of a part of ourselves, but there is more. We recognize in that moment that we might be next!

There are many theories about life after death, but I have learned, after many decades of examining the literature of this world; there is only one Book that answers our questions. We call it the “Bible.”

You may believe in some concept. For example, you might protect yourself with thoughts like “reincarnation,” an idea that we come back to earth again-and-again, until we finally get it right and go on to something else. But the Bible says this: “It is given unto man ONCE to die and after death the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). When you die, the next thing you’ll know is that, like our analogy for today, you’re in the presence of God! Many religions have been created that offer ideas about the hereafter, but as said before, it’s not WHAT you know, it’s WHO you know that counts! Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6). When you reach that courtroom, you’ll need a Friend, and Jesus is the One who will help you.

Father, I receive Your Son right now. Thank You for Him. In Jesus Name. Amen.

Ron Beckham, Pastor
Friday Study Ministries
First Church On The Net
www.FridayStudy.org
Ron@FridayStudy.org
"While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
__________________________________________________

You are needed.
Help this Church on the Net by sending donations to:
Friday Study Ministries
P.O. Box 92131
Long Beach, CA 90809-2131 USA