“Truly I tell you, anyone who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not come under judgment but has passed from death to life.”
‭‭John‬ ‭5‬:‭24‬ ‭CSB‬‬

The word “judgment” makes me think of a court case. The judge for all humans will be Jesus one day. He’s also the prosecuting attorney, and although He has an airtight case against me, He’s offering me a plea deal. I don’t have to face judgment at all! The requirements of Jesus’s plea deal are very simple: admit my guilt and repent; that is, be sorry and humbly and honestly strive to do better. If I do that, I can go free. Which is really good news because I was facing a death sentence.

Living in this world without Jesus is living on death row. The end will come. Maybe soon, maybe not for a long time, but it will come.

But Jesus comes along, walking down death row and stops at my cell. He asks me, “Do you want to get out of there?”

I think to myself, “What a ridiculous question…”, but I nod.

Jesus tells me his terms.

At this point, freedom is right there. Why wouldn’t I agree to His terms? Do I think I’m innocent so don’t want to plead guilty? If you’ve ever read the law in the Bible, you know it cannot be obeyed. God’s standards are too high. They were too high for the ancient Israelites when God gave them the law, and they are too high for me today. I am guilty.

So I admit my guilt and repent.

Suddenly the door to my cell swings open, and I stroll right out of my prison, past the electric chair that had been waiting for me. But I notice something unusual. Jesus is sitting in that chair. Even though my name is on the schedule. He smiles and waves me on. To freedom. To life.

Dear Jesus,

Thank you so much for taking my place at my execution. Your generous sacrifice is astounding. I am so relieved to have the freedom and life you gave me. Teach me how to use it well, according to your good purpose.