Recently I served on a jury.

I’ll admit that I was less than thrilled to get the summons. Monday is supposed to be my day off, and it seems that I always get summoned to appear on a Monday. I was selected to serve and the trial started that same afternoon. We were released around 5 p.m. and told to return at 8:30 on Tuesday morning, which meant missing a day of doing whatever it is I am supposed to do.

While it is not how I would have chosen to spend two days of my life, it did give me a chance to render a service to my community. As we listened to the evidence against the defendant in this case and then the defense offered by his attorney, it was obvious that the young man was guilty and that was the verdict rendered.

I tried to imagine what it would feel like to be sitting where he was, hearing the charges read against him, listening as the evidence is presented and then hearing the verdict announced. Then it occurred to me that I will one day be in that position.

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. 2 Corinthians 5:10

Imagine sitting before the throne of Jesus and hearing all the charges read against you, every single thing you have done wrong in your life. The list would include everything from that “little white lie” to marital infidelity, stealing a candy bar to spreading false and vicious rumors, losing your temper to taking God’s name in vain. Just imagine hearing it all read out loud. And then imagine trying to defend yourself in the face of those charges, all of which you know to be true. That is a frightening prospect.

The good news is that you don’t have to face those charges alone. You have an advocate on your side who will do more than offer a defense. He will not try to justify your actions. Rather, He takes the punishment in your place so that you will not have to suffer the eternal consequences your actions deserve. Paul wrote about that later in the same chapter of 2 Corinthians.

God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21

In what has to be the most marvelous exchange in all of history, Jesus took your sin on Himself in order to pay its price, and then offers you His righteousness, His perfect life of obedience. It is because of your faith in Christ that you can walk out of that final courtroom, away from the judgment seat, as one declared to be “not guilty.” The verdict that should be rendered against you was instead placed on Jesus so that you can go free.

I have been praying for the man we convicted in that case. While he has some earthly consequences for his actions, this message of forgiveness and life and salvation that comes from Jesus is for everyone, including him…and each of you reading this today.