This series has fed our appetite for a good courtroom drama. Today, it concludes with one of the most shocking plot twists you will ever encounter! The characters are real, and any representation of their true nature is intentional. The stage has been set. You are on trial. You stand accused. And so, do I.

In the last installment, we contemplated the Judge. Fearfully contemplated. Looking around the courtroom, we found only one remaining obvious character to play the role, and He (God) has a history of dealing harshly with the guilty. But we misunderstand Him. So today, allow me to introduce you to the Judge:

For the Father (God) loves the Son (Jesus – our defense attorney) and shows Him all that He Himself is doing. And greater works than these will He show Him, so that you may marvel. For as the father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom He will. – John 5:20-21

And here it is – the greatest plot twist of all time!

For the Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son, that all may honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him. Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears My word and believes Him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life. – John 5:22-24 (emphasis mine)

Whatever you think you know about God; Jesus changes everything! We’re embroiled in the middle of this great courtroom drama – standing here guilty as charged – before the awesome presence of the Almighty God, whom we fear because of the very power He holds over our lives. And He hands the gavel to the Defense Attorney! You. Can’t. Lose. Which should leave you with only one question:

What, then, is required of me? The answer: faith. Honor the Son with your faith.

Throw yourself on the mercy of the court! Honor the Son – your defender – by committing your life to joining the cloud of witnesses that have gone before. Furthermore, do this every day for the rest of your time on earth. One of the greatest promises of God in Scripture says “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning.” (By the way, that promise comes from the Old Testament which should shine a new perspective on the God who we thought would be your Judge.)

If God’s mercy is new every morning, then renew your commitment to faith every morning also.

This series has laid out the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ about as clearly as it can get. You and I stand accused, and we’ve been caught red-handed, guilty as charged. But we’re in the presence of a merciful court; a God who loves us so much that He has prepared a way for us to defy the odds and be found innocent. Because Jesus served our death sentence for us and then literally extends to us a not guilty verdict.

Now, live in the freedom Christ offers!