The first thing I remember is sitting on a bench in the
waiting room of what I thought to be a court house. The doors
opened and I was instructed to come in and have a seat by the
defense table. As I looked around I saw the "prosecutor". He was a
villainous looking gent who snarled as he stared at me, he
definitely was the most evil person I have ever seen. I sat down and
looked to my left and there sat my lawyer, a kind and gentle looking
man whose appearance seemed very familiar to me.

The corner door flew open and there appeared the judge in full
flowing robes. He commanded an awesome presence as he moved
across the room and I couldn't take my eyes off of him. As he took
his seat behind the bench he said "Let us begin."

The prosecutor rose and said "My name is Satan and I am here to
show you why this man belongs in hell." He proceeded to tell of
lies that I told, things that I stole and in the past when I
cheated others. Satan told of other horrible perversions that were
once in my life and the more he spoke the further down in my seat
sank. I was so embarrassed that I couldn't look at anyone, even my
own lawyer, as the Devil told of sins that even I had completely
forgotten about. As upset as I was at Satan for telling all these
things about me, I was equally upset at my representative who sat
there silently not offering any form of defense at all. I know I had
been guilty of those things, but I had done some good in my
life-couldn't that at least equal out part of the harm I've done.
Satan finished with a fury and said "This man belongs in hell, he is
guilty of all that I have charged and there is not a person who can
prove otherwise. Justice will finally be served this day."

When it was his turn, my lawyer first asked if he might approach
the bench.

The judge allowed this over the strong objection of Satan, and
beckoned him to come forward. As he got up and started walking I
was able to see him now in his full splendor and majesty. Now I
realized why he seemed so familiar, this was Jesus representing
me, my Lord and my Savior. He stopped at the bench and softly said
to the judge "Hi Dad" and then he turned to address the court.

"Satan was correct in saying that this man had sinned, I won't deny
any of these allegations. And yes the wages of sin is death and
this man deserves to be punished".

Jesus took a deep breath and
turned to His Father with out-stretched arms and proclaimed
"However, I died on the cross so that this person might have
eternal life and he has accepted me as his Savior, so he is mine."
My Lord continued with "His name is written in the book of life and
no one can snatch him from me. Satan still does not understand yet,
this man is not to be given justice but rather mercy." As Jesus sat
down, He quietly paused, looked at His Father and replied "There is
nothing else that needs to be done, I've done it all".

The Judge lifted his mighty hand and slammed the gavel down and the
following words bellowed from his lips- "This man is free--the
penalty for him has already been paid in full-- case dismissed."
As my Lord led me away I could hear Satan ranting and raving "I
won't give up, I'll win the next one."

I asked Jesus as he gave
me my instructions where to go next "Have you ever lost a case?"
Christ lovingly smiled and said "Everyone that has come to me and
asked me to represent them has received the same verdict as you:
Paid in Full."