Short Stories

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I stood in the court room as the Judge flipped through pages of my file. The court room felt empty as sunlight came through the windows. My attorney stood next to me, seemingly nervous. The bailiff stood to the side looking from me to the Judge. I stayed silent with my head low, not wanting to look the Judge in the eye.

He spoke, “Eric Christopher Jackson, you are aware of all of the charges against you?”

“Yes sir.”

“How do you plead?” the Judge asked.

“Guilty,” I replied, now looking at the Judge.

The Judge looked from me to my attorney, who began to pack his notes into his brief case. I knew the trial was over.

The Judge spoke up, “Mr. Jackson, the punishment for one of these charges is death. And you've been found guilty of them all!” He paused for a moment. “Although you've made strides to redeem yourself the past few years, I cannot overlook the crimes you've committed.” With a stern look, “This court finds you guilty as charged. You will pay a fine of $50,000 and you are sentenced to death.”

Suddenly, I noticed the crowd in the court room as they gasped at the Judge’s words. A tear rolled down my face. I nodded my head, accepting my sentence. There was a haziness in the air as rays of yellow-orange sunlight continued to streak through the windows. The Judge gave the bailiff a nod and he walked over to me with handcuffs. I felt the cold metal clasp around my wrists. But then the Judge interrupted him as he began to take me away…

“Mr. Jackson, what is that around your neck?”

I pulled my necklace out from underneath my shirt, “A cross, sir,” I replied.

“A cross?”

“Yes sir.”

“Why do you wear it?”

“It reminds me of the day that I accepted Jesus Christ into my life. Even when I’m not wearing it, He’s with me.”

The Judge seemed curious and to my surprise, got out of the Judge’s chair to walk over to me. He grabbed the cross and studied it…turning it ever so slightly. The Judge looked me in the eyes. It felt like I was being examined. With a raise of the hand, the bailiff came over with folders and a pen. I was shocked as the Judge wrote out a check for $50,000. I gave a questioning look to my attorney, who only gave me a smile.

The Judge walked back to the chair and sat down. He looked at me and said, “Eric Christopher Jackson, in light of this information, your bail has been paid in full. And your sentence to death…has already been carried out by the One you serve.”

The crowd in the court room struggled to stay silent.

“Sir?!”

“Mr. Jackson, you know these doors lead to the your freedom…and these doors lead to your death. The One you gave your life to…Jesus Christ…He suffered and died in your place. When you accepted Him into your life, He took away all the crimes you have ever committed. Now, I will honor His sacrifice. He is My Son.”

The bailiff came over and took off my handcuffs. He gave me a pat on my arm and smiled, “You’re free to go.”

More and more people began to clap loudly. People cheered and smiled, waving towards me. How should I react? Do I deserve to be set free? Time seemed to move in slow motion. Suddenly, the double doors to the Judge’s right swung open and a brilliant light shown through. The bailiff bowed.

It was Him. I bowed. “King…” I couldn't say another word.

My old prison clothes were taken away. I was given new clothes, white…fine linen, like nothing I’d ever seen before. He looked at me lovingly, with a love I've never felt before. He took a large ring off His finger and put it on my finger. A ring only a prince would wear. At that moment, I truly understood…when I gave my life to Jesus Christ, not only were my sins forgiven and I received eternal life with Him…but I actually became a joint-heir to the Throne in the Kingdom of God.

I looked back around the court room once more as we walked towards the doors. I could see everyone more clearly. Men and women, in white linen clothes, all with the large ring on their finger. Cheering. Smiling. Celebrating. I was overwhelmed by the moment. I turned forward to see what was through the doors as the bright light faded. The awe from what I saw took my breathe away. Then I heard Jesus say, “Welcome home…”



“But when the right time came, God sent His Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. God sent Him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that He could adopt us as His very own children. And because we are His children, God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba Father.” Now you are no longer a slave, but God’s own child. And since you are His child, God has made you His heir.”– Galatians 4:4-7 (NLT)


FEATURED
BOOK TITLE: SPEAK
ISBN: 978-1494773854
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