The Trial of the Ages
There was no one who was not be involved in this monumental event. The courthouse was completely full in anticipation of this trial. Everyone wondered just how the Judge was going to remain just (Rom. 3:25,26), and still rule in favor of the defendant, who was, by His own choice, to be the Defense Council’s wife (Eph. 1:4). This matter was even further complicated by the fact that the Defense Council was the Judge’s only Son (John 3:16).
The Son was the favorite of all those dwelling in this city. And he caused the sense of closeness that was felt concerning the Judge. It seemed that no one really knew the Father, except through the presence of the Son (Matt. 11:27). And the Son was the image that everyone hoped to be like one day! All the young people born in that city wanted to grow up into his image. And everyone knew that this was well pleasing to the Father, and was exactly as He would have it! (Rom. 8:29). But then there was the Prosecuting Attorney! THAT was an entirely different story!
The Prosecuting Attorney was mean spirited, unfeeling, full of hatred, and opposed all truth! (John 8:44). He was armed with the one weapon that put all he tried into bondage! He was skilled in the use of exacting legalistic oppression. And strangely enough, he had learned the law from the Judge himself! For as hard as it is now to believe, he had once been the Judges’ respectful servant, learning the law at that time. (Psa. 68:17; Gal. 3:19).
The Defendant still had the visage of her former beauty, but the light of life had gone out of her eyes. She had been strongly deceived and had fallen in a great transgression. (1Tim. 2:14). It had effected the entire course of commerce in the city. It was as if everyone needed this trial to come out in her favor, though no one knew just how that could possibly happen. (1Cor 2:7).
And that which caused the greatest depression among the people was having that awareness that the Judge’s honor had been effected by this entire situation. (Rom. 3:23). For the determination of both the Judge and the Son to stand by the defendant made it seem as if their perfect reputation was being laid aside until the outcome of this trial! (Phil. 2:7).
The Prosecutor rises up from his seat and strides up close to the Judge’s bench. He always seemed as a strong lion, walking about for a prey! (1 Pet. 5:8). His smug confidence in the condemnation of the law caused a bondage which subjected the people to the very fear of death! (Heb. 2:15). He was oftentimes at the the Judge’s seat, accusing the people of the city both day and night. (Rev. 12:10). His words were strong. They were, as always, without a hint of mercy. He cleverly used the law to bring railing accusation down upon the poor Defendant. His accusations even insinuated that the Judge be bound by that spirit of merciless law, and thereby enforce the death penalty! No one shall ever forget his last words. For he looked right into the fact of the Judge and said, “He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the LORD.” (Prov. 17:15). What arrogance! How that letter of the law had a killing effect upon all! (2 Cor. 3:6).
Now the Son arose. He had but one document in his possession. It was his entire defense. He respectfully presented it into evidence before the Judge. The entire courtroom was silent. How could just one piece of paper contain that to equal the Prosecutor’s strong argument? He placed it in the Judges hand. Swiftly the gavel came pounding down in two loud blows! “Not guilty!” It sounded all over the court room. It reverberated over the land! It was like a resurrection from the dead to everyone! (Rom. 6:5; Col. 2:12). But how could it be?
The clerk stood on the courthouse steps. Everyone tried to quiet the excited cheers. All wanted to hear just what was on this all important legal document! The clerk placed his glasses on his face, cleared his voice and loudly read, “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” (2 Cor. 5:21).
What good news! This gospel would make its way around the entire country for many years to come. It was almost unbelievable! The Judge had made His Son to be guilty in the Bride’s place! The Son had suffered all her penalty! Justification by substitution! She was absolutely cleared of all wrong! And the Son rose up from the crushing ordeal by the power of His own righteousness! It was the resurrection that had given those hearing the court room verdict the awareness of their own resurrection!
Life was restored, but better and richer than there had ever been before. It was even better than was ever known before the down fall of the Bride! (1Cor. 15:49).
And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. (Ephes. 2:6-7).
Your soul’s servant,
Pastor Gene Breed
March 11, 2000
