Put to Shame (Part 2)

I crossed my arms over my stomach self-consciously, trying to hide the tattoos that condemned me. I’m not sure why I bothered. Everyone in the courtroom had seen all they needed to.

Every citizen bore the sin mark, but some were more visible than others. And my
tattoos were a grim stain that covered my hands and arms, even crawling up the sides of my neck. I’d had the mark my entire life. I’d never lived a single day without it. But as I’d grown older—as I succumbed to my selfish desires, my greed, my lust—the mark had grown. It had stained my skin so that anyone could see.

The judge sat high on his perch, draped in crimson robes and wearing a twisted expression of disgust as his eyes flicked down to my stained hands. The jury was the same. Two perfect lines of scowling faces. Each juror was wearing a clean pressed robe, reminding me I was at their mercy.

I sat in my creaky chair, and I felt naked beneath their scrutiny. This couldn’t be happening. The judge stood slowly from his seat, gavel in hand. “You have been found guilty of all charges and are hereby sentenced to immediate execution.â€

It felt as if the floor was falling out from beneath me as he lifted his gavel to seal the sentence. But before the wood of the gavel connected with the block, the double doors at the back of the courtroom were thrown open. I spun around in my chair, and through the blur of my own tears I saw a man racing toward the judge.

“Wait!†he shouted. He stopped beside my chair. There was sweat on his brow, and he was out of breath. How far had he run?

The judge’s face contorted in fury. “How dare you! This is a closed courtroom!â€

The man looked over at me. He must have seen the fear and desperation in my eyes, the tears that threatened to spill over, the humiliation and shame. His own eyes filled with compassion and love. But why? Who was this man? And what could he do to save me from what I rightfully deserved? • Emily Tenter

• Can you remember a time when people knew you were guilty of sin? What did that feel like?

• We all sat guilty under the law, but Jesus raced in to save us. How might this give you hope?

So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1 (NLT)

Read Verses:

John.8.1-John.8.11|Rom.3.23