The loud thud of the gavel on the bench hushed the murmur as He first entered the room. Every eye turned to watch the Judge take a seat behind an enormous, crystal podium.
He looked down at the defendant, almost invisible in the huge, red leather seat beneath the stand. The old man's frail shoulders were bowed and his fingers picked at the unfamiliar silken garments he wore.
The Judge turned His attention toward the Prosecution's desk.
A thick-set, man-like creature stood glowering in a heavily sequined suit that reflected the cadaverous color of his face and neck. He appeared almost human, but something about his demeanor gave way to a darker presence even the worst of humanity was pushed to equal.
Clutching a thick folder in his long, dirty fingernails, he glared at the defendant.
The old man caught his eye, shuddered, and grasped at the loose skin on his neck. A vivid mental picture of his own frail body swinging from the vice like grip of the Prosecutor's claws formed in his mind.
"That's enough!" the Judge's deep voice boomed across the room.
The Prosecutor flinched as though struck, and muttered under his breath, but he didn't fix his gaze on the old man again.
"Is the Prosecution ready?
Turning frigid eyes to the front of the room, the creature addressed his reply to the podium, being careful to avoid direct eye contact with the Judge.
"Yessssss," he hissed.
The old man squirmed and looked around the room. Not one familiar face. A solitary tear trickled down his leathered face, and he fought back the lump in his throat. His wife and their only child died in a car accident just two weeks ago. His wife knew Jesus but his daughter did not . He'd warned her she would end up in hell but she blew him off every time he mentioned it. After the same old argument the afternoon, she'd stormed from the house. His wife, Elizabeth, followed her, calling back over her shoulder, "I'll take her to Benny's Coffee Shop. She'll calm down. Want to come?"
Shaking his head, he'd grunted and headed for the garage. muttering under his breath, "I'd rather mow the lawn."
It would be the last time he saw them. His wife and daughter died on their way home that night; their lives cut short by a drunk driver. Within two weeks, he'd followed them. At his funeral, people said he'd died of a broken heart and it was true. He knew his precious daughter would be lost in hell forever, because of him.
The witnesses in the courtroom watched the old man, nudging each other, smiling and whispering. A warning glance from the podium caused them to straighten up and sit in silent anticipation.
"Very good. Proceed, and state your case against this man."
With an evil grin, the accuser shook the thick folder in the air.
"Here we have a man, who claims to be one of Your children, Your Honor." He shuddered at the term of respect, but he knew better than not to use it. I'm here to prove beyond doubt - this man is useless, a waste of your time and an insult to Your Son's crucifixtion."
He paused, letting his words sink in, as his over-sized head bobbed and nodded on his shoulders like a ridiculous doll.
With a grin at the jury, he swept his arm into the air and paced in front of the desk.
"In fact, yes, in fact, when he died, he presented himself at my dungeon door, certain he had no right to enter Your kingdom! If Your angels hadn't taken him up in their arms, he'd be there yet! He is rightfully mine!"
The old man could hear his raspy breathing as he stepped closer, and smell the foul odor of his breath.
He tore his frightened eyes away from the creature and dared a quick glance at the Judge but He was looking across the room.
"Objection."
All eyes turned to the tall man who'd slipped into the room and stood there in a pure white silk suit. His face was so bright, the defendant had to shield his eyes at first, but he couldn't help from noticing the plain hemp sandals that covered two nail scarred feet.
God looked at His Son with deep love in His eyes.
"You have an objection to the charges, Son?"
"Yes Father, I do. Satan is lying."
A loud guffaw broke forth from the beast in the suit.
"I have the evidence! This man has not led one single person to Christ in fifty years! He's not a Christian!"
Jesus' rich laughter echoed around the courtroom.
"Satan, you know full well, the matter of this man's salvation is not the issue that brings us here today. It's because of his belief in your lies that we stand in session today. As hard as it is for a liar and deceiver such as yourself, let's stand on the truth here. It's not by good works alone that any man enters My Father's Kingdom. The Word says he has been bought with a price. He belongs to God. That is in One Corinthians, Chapter --"
"I know where it is!" Satan seethed. "But wait until you see what I have here! I started keeping this record when he was born! Let's see - October 29th 1941 he kicked a cat, June 5th 1942 - swore at his sister......" He grinned, as his tongue slithered over a mouthful of jagged spiked teeth and he flipped through the thick pages.
"The juicy stuff starts in 1960. Especially the part about his encounter with the young lady at the beach and what was going through his mind. Why don't you take a look yourself," he hissed, thrusting the well-worn folder at Jesus.
Jesus ignored it, and addressed His Father instead. "This man, already a citizen of heaven, is convinced he belongs to the enemy's camp. He allows himself to stand accused, condemned, and convicted of crimes no longer belonging to him."
"Objection sustained."
"I too have a record of every wrong, every sin, that stands recorded in Your book of Life, Father. I have a certified copy of that very record right here."
Satan leaned forward and snatched the single sheet of parchment from Jesus' outstretched hand. A snarl formed on his hideous face. He tore at the sheet with his claws and threw it to the floor.
"There is nothing written on this sheet!"
As the torn paper floated gracefully down, it brushed against Satan's foot. Igniting spontaneously, it flared briefly and collapsed in a small pile of ashes on the courtroom floor.
"That's right Satan. We have no sin recorded against this child of Ours. Always quick to repent, the Holy Spirit worked mightily through him."
"Ha! Mightily indeed!" Satan kicked furiously at the small pile of smoldering ash by his foot.
"Father," Jesus said. "Here is a man who loves with Your own heart. I have some witnesses I'd like to call."
Jesus beckoned to one of the people waiting in the gallery.
Dressed in a gown that shone like a silvery moon on a warm summer's night, a woman walked over to stand in front of Jesus.
The old man stood. "Let her take my seat. I can stand."
"It is she who gave up the seat to you, My brother," Jesus said.
The defendant sank back down into the chair.
The woman bowed before the Judge, and turned to address the accuser who sat twisting his head around, and drumming the desk with long claws.
"Accuser, I stand before you, God as my witness, to tell you that you have no right to claim this child of heaven."
She glanced back at the wide eyed defendant. and smiled. "You might not know me now, but you and I have spent many hours together. My name is Mercy, and I have been often called to your side."
The old man gazed at her. Did he know this beautiful creature?
She turned back to face the Judge. "Almighty God, this is a man after Your own heart. One late, November day, years ago, as he walked to the subway after work, a disheveled old man in a baggy trench coat brushed past him, snatching the shoe box he carried. It contained a present bought for his wife, a pair of Nike runners she wanted for her birthday, and his wallet. He gave chase, but lost the thief a few blocks down.
"Three days later, he saw the same old man, collapsed by the subway station as people rushed by. Your child knew him at once by the new shoes on his feet and the old trench coat. Homeless, a diabetic and alcoholic, he'd suffered a heart attack. Only moments separated him from death when Your child found him.
He called an ambulance and the old man's life was saved. The police returned his wallet found in the old man's belongings and asked him if he wanted to press charges. Of course, he refused."
"So what? Who cares? Big deal!" Satan snorted.
Mercy sighed. "I haven't finished yet. Your child, Father, went back that night and spoke to the other homeless men as they gathered in the alley down town around an old drum fire. He found out the man's name, and searched until he found his son. Tom hadn't seen his father, Joe, in years but a relationship was restored between them. Meanwhile our defendant made a second visit to the alley the next night, taking new shoes and clothing, and handed them out to the astonished homeless men."
Satan picked a small axe out of his briefcase, and began to hack away at the ends of his claws with it, leaving ugly raw gash marks in the oak table in front of him.
"Bet they weren't Nikes" he snickered.
"Actually, yes. They were Nikes," Mercy replied.
Satan rolled his eyeballs into the back of his skull, stared up at the ceiling and began to chant.
"Destruction is certain for those who say that evil is good and good is evil; that dark is light and light is dark; that bitter is sweet and sweet is bitter. Destruction is certain for those who say that evil is . . . ."
Jesus laughed and every eye in the room turned to look at Him, except Satan.
"I never thought I would see the day where you felt brave enough to quote My Father's Word in His Own Court, Satan! Let's try this one instead, shall we? Then the Devil, who betrayed them, was thrown into the lake of fire that burns with fire, along with the beast and the false prophet. There they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. What do you think? Any objections to Revelation Chapter 20 verse 10? It's Case Law by the way and one previous ruling that will never be overturned!"
God nodded His approval, ignoring the laughter from the witness benches. "Please, continue Mercy."
Mercy bowed her head. "After the war, horrified by the mindless torture he'd seen, Joe turned to alcohol to numb his pain. He slipped away from his family, becoming a shell of the man they once knew. Joe earned a Purple Heart and a Medal of Honor during his war service. Due to the defendant's kindness, that family were given the chance to spend six months with him before he died. His grandchildren got to know the man they'd only heard stories about."
"Pathetic thief and a liar! He should have been in jail for that six months!" Satan interjected.
"Yes, we know, Satan. But Joe was starving and cold that night in the city and deeply regretted his actions once he was sober again. After his death, when Joe's family sat down to talk about 'the good Samaritan', which is what they called our friend here, they decided they wanted to know more.
They'd never met a 'Christian' before who spoke so little and yet said so much. He'd told them only briefly of his faith in God, but when they looked at him, they saw Jesus. A seed was planted from which a mighty tree arose. Today they are missionaries, evangelists, believers through three generations- all brought to Christ by this man's simple act of mercy."
Mercy turned her beautiful eyes to the now weeping defendant.
"Oh, salt of the earth, do you know how many prayers of thanks were offered up to the Father throughout the years, from that family for you? They never forgot you."
The old man brushed a leathery hand across his face, wiping fiercely at the tears. He could never have imagined one simple act could accomplish so much.
Mercy continued. "Then there was the time when this child was....."
"STOP!! I have heard more than I wish to!" Satan screamed.
Jesus arched His eyebrows. "Surely not Satan? I still have witnesses to call. See them standing over there?
Need, Compassion, Comfort, Justice, Kindness and Hope. They are all waiting their turn to tell you how this man's life was a reflection of My Father's heart."
Satan flung the thick folder across the room. It slid to a halt at Jesus's feet.
Jesus leaned down and picked it up. It dissolved, flowing like sand through His fingers. "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."
Satan whirled and collapsed to the floor. He slithered from the room, with several small followers scuttling behind him.
Jesus raised a hand. "Go Failure, Shame and Condemnation. Follow your master. You belong with him."
He turned back to address the frail old man, now sitting up straighter in the chair.
"Do you know now on which seat you sit?"
"The Mercy Seat. Your Mercy Seat, Lord Jesus."
"Do you understand whose child you are?"
"I am God's child and You are my Lord and my Savior!"
Jesus smiled, and the old man, who somehow didn't look old at all any more, smiled back at Him, eyes sparkling with joy.
"Now My brother if you are ready, there are some people waiting anxiously to see you," Jesus said.
He followed Jesus' gaze, watching in amazement as a huge golden door swung open and people ran into the room.
Half standing in his chair, he cried out as a young woman flung herself into his waiting arms, followed closely by a woman who looked just like her. "Oh my dear sweet Daisy! My daughter! Can it really be you? Elizabeth! My darling Elizabeth!"
Jesus smiled down at Mercy, whose silvery tears glistened against her soft cheeks as they watched the joyous reunion. "That was Hope's testimony." He chuckled. "I can't wait to see his face when he sees the place I have prepared for him,"
He watched the group escort their beloved soul through the waiting door into heaven.
A loud and joyous shout filled into the courtroom as the defendant's voice floated back across the room. "Joe? Is it really you? You made it! Oh, this is wonderful!"
Jesus chuckled once more, and winked at Forgiveness, who grinned as he gathered up mountains of paperwork to be shredded before the day's legal sessions ended.
Then, taking Mercy by the hand, Jesus followed the happy group through the door and inside the gates of heaven.
As the door slammed, a Mighty voice echoed through the universe behind them.
"Well done, My good and faithful servant."
(James chapter 2 verses 14-16)
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