Free As Charged

The scene played out before me, like a chapter in a book.
I sat there in the courtroom and turned around to take a look.

All around me were criminals, murderers and thieves,
Each with their own story, who did you believe?

Out from the door came the Judge, who went to take a seat,
He pounded His gavel for order, this three times He had to repeat.
 
They brought forward the first victim, whose face I could not see,
They locked her hands in shackles then threw away the key.
 
They read her list of charges, too many for me to count.
I knew she'd be convicted, of this I had no doubt.

The crowd went wild as the Judge went to give the verdict,
The girl then begged for mercy, but it was as if no one had heard it.

I joined along with them after hearing what she had done,
But I could see by the slouch of her shoulders, her burden weighed a ton.
 
No matter, I thought, she's a sinner, none-the-less.
She was guilty as charged for the things she did confess.

"Guilty as charged!" His gavel was then slammed down,
I saw the girl raise her head, but didn't utter a sound.

The crowd and I went wild as they led her out the door,
She suddenly stopped walking, her gaze still to the floor.

Then, as if by some force, her eyes looked into mine.
My whole body stiffened, I felt as if frozen in time.

My heart was in my throat at the person I did see,
This criminal I had tried to lock away was me.

I ran forward to stop them, but was pulled back by a pair of hands,
People around me screamed, no one could understand.

The scene suddenly changed, and I became deathly still,
I was no longer in the courtroom but gazing up a hill.

I looked to my right and came across a sign,
It said, "If you're looking for freedom, go where the light does shine."

I was blinded by the light as I began the long ascent.
When I finally reached the top, my energy was spent.

I collapsed to the ground, the shackles still binding my hands,
Then a gentle hand reached down and lifted me to stand.

It was then that I looked up into a face I did not know,
He was nailed upon a cross, His blood soaking the ground below.

His eyes were soft and gentle, but I could see the pain they bore.
I could no longer hold His gaze, and looked down to the floor.

My eyes caught another sign, this one said, "Mount Calvary"
It was then that I realized the one who had nailed Him there was me.

My knees became weak as I quickly fell to the ground.
I begged Him for forgiveness but He didn't utter a sound.

When I look up again, the cross and hill were gone,
Jesus now stood before me, "I'm so glad that you have come!"

"Your sins have been forgiven you, you are able to go free!"
I felt my shackles fall to the ground, opened without a key.

"How can you forgive someone who put you through such pain?!"
"My precious child, I forgive you, and I'll do it over again."

I hugged my blessed Savior, then was told I had to go.
I wanted to stay with Him forever, but there were people who had to know.

Of a Man who dies to forgive us our sins,
But three days later Jesus rose again.

"Thank you", was all I could say, as tears stopped me from saying another word.
He smiled, then was gone, "You're welcome." the last thing I had heard.

I found myself back in the courtroom, with the murderers and thieves,
With my newfound hope that my story they would believe.

I witnessed to a few, the rest just turned away,
I realized only a few would hear what I had to say.

No matter, that's why God put me here,
To spread His love and forgiveness, maybe wipe away a tear.

I walked out of the courthouse, my old life in the past,
 For now through the blood of Jesus, I was free at last!

Author Unknown

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