Guilty!

I woke as into a dream and found myself standing amid all of humanity, every person who had ever lived. We were in what appeared to be a courtroom. At the head of the room was the judge's bench raised high above the crowd. The son of man appeared before the bench shackled in chains. The devil entered the courtroom and took his place in the judgement seat. He sneered at the son of man who stood before him.

“You have volunteered to bear the punishment for the sins of all the people of the world.” The devil barked. “I demand them to plead for the crimes committed.”

“On the charge that you have failed to love God with your whole heart, how do you plead?”

“Guilty!” yelled all of humanity in one voice that rocked the heavens.

“On the charge that you have taken this man’s name in vain…”

“Guilty!”

“On keeping the sabbath day holy…..”

“Murder…..”

“Guilty!”

“Hatred….”

“Guilty!!!!!”

One by one the devil listed out every sin of mankind. One by one humanity cried out their guilt. When every sin had been listed the devil asked, “Does anyone wish to take this man’s place?”

The silence that followed was deafening.

“Does anyone wish to join him in facing the just punishment for these crimes?”

Again, not even a whisper was heard.

“Then he alone will bear the punishment due.” The devil was ecstatic. His joy could not be contained. “The punishment is death. How do you wish this punishment be carried out?”

“Crucify him! Crucify him! Crucify him!”

“Let it be done according to your will.” The devil slammed the gavel down and the trial was finished.

Jesus died for our sins. He bore the punishment for all of humanity. He did so out of love for us.

He did so because we demanded it from him.