Every Christian has this grand capacity and opportunity to wake up each day with a smile on his face. Even if my team lost game 7 in the NBA finals the night before? Yes, even then.
“How can that be?” you ask.
You are a human. Therefore, you are a criminal. Your past is littered like a field of corn husk debris with all the sinful things you’ve done throughout your life. You’ve committed so many crimes it’s like you’re wanted in all fifty states plus Paraguay. On the ‘Ten Most Wanted’ list you fill all ten slots.
A judge sentences you to eternal imprisonment in a lightless dungeon. The dungeon key will be blasted into space on the next NASA launch. Your meals will be restricted to broccoli and water. You hoped the judge would give you one last chance to make everything right with everyone you wronged. With his pronouncement, however, you lower your head to the table and weep.
Then a man appears. You don’t know him, never met him before. The stranger offers to take your place. He tells the judge to make all your crimes his crimes. Furthermore, he tells the judge to make your future crimes his crimes. He will pay the price for them all.
The judge agrees. The stranger turns to you and smiles, giving you a ‘thumbs up.’
Stunned, you walk from the courtroom a free man. You pause as the warmth of sun hits your face. You never thought you’d see the sun again. Your gaze moves to the street. No matter what direction you walk, you will always walk as a free man, never to be saddled with the guilt of any crime again. You inhale, and the smell of the freshly mown grass in the park across the street fills your lungs.
You take a step down the stairs and then another. Suddenly, overcome with joy, you’re dancing. People stare, but you don’t care. You keep dancing with a joy you’ve never experienced before. You dance across the street to the park and rip off your tennis shoes and socks. You dance on the grass, feeling its prickliness on the bottom of your feet. You’re alive again!
An older fellow sitting on a bench underneath a giant oak watches you. He smiles, and you’re drawn to him. He waves for you to sit down beside him.
“You’ve met Jesus, huh?” says the older fellow. It’s more statement than question. Your furrowed brow begs for more information. The older fellow continues. “The stranger in the courtroom. That’s Jesus.”
“Why would He do that?” you ask. You certainly wouldn’t have done it for anyone, not even your own mother.
“Pretty simple. He loves you.”
You lean back and cross your arms. “He doesn’t even know me.”
“He’s known you since you were born. He’s always loved you.”
“How do you know so much about him?”
The older fellow sighed, but a warm smile lit his face. “Years ago I was faced with a rapsheet capable of stretching across the Atlantic Ocean. Like you, I was a goner for sure. Then Jesus walked in and took my place. Didn’t know him at all, but he did it anyway.”
“You were waiting for me here today, weren’t you?”
The older fellow’s smile grew. “Sure was. Got up this morning and somebody nudged me. Got the feeling I should come wait on this park bench.” He lifted a book lying on the bench beside him. “So I grabbed my Bible and here I am.”
“What’s the Bible?”
The older fellow chuckled. “That dance you just did needs a little work. This book shows us how.” He stood. “We better get started.”
“You’re going with me?”
“Sure am.”
“Why?”
“Because Jesus told me I should love you like he does. Let’s go.”
The older fellow went a few steps then broke into a dance down the sidewalk. He stopped, turning. “You coming?”
Your new-found joy and peace, your interest about what’s in the Bible he’s carrying—suddenly, those are the things you want most.
“Sure am,” you say. Your smile matches his. Starting your own jig, you dance towards him. You’ve never felt better. Your life will never be the same.