For Easter, For Us
What He Did
Wednesday, March 23, 2005 by Sleeping Dragon | Discussion: WinCustomize Talk
This has been on my personal page for a while, but I thought I would post it here for Easter. I hope you all have a nice one.
I’m a bit at a loss for words,
No…More than that.
I’m completely undone,
Torn apart at the seams,
When I think about the friendship,
Dedication,
Perseverance,
Love,
Mercy,
And grace
That has been shown me by an individual. I absolutely have to try to explain, in the hope that at least one person might understand, and my tears that appear suddenly at times won’t be tears shed alone.
Imagine, if you will, that you have been tried in a court of law and been found guilty of the murder of an innocent. You were found guilty because you were, indeed, guilty. Many of us cannot imagine an uglier crime. But you did it.
You have regret,
But you did it.
You stand before a jury of your peers who are about to sentence you.
A bead of sweat falls down your temple.
This is it. This is your life …on the line.
You’re sentence is read,
“life in prison”
You’re going to be behind bars the rest of your life. No freedom … at all.
No trees or birds or walks in the park.
No pets or sunsets.
No sharing stories with a friend over a cup of coffee.
No fishing.
Only concrete
And bars.
There is a pause after your punishment is announced, that seems like an eternity.
An entire life of regret flashes before you.
Decisions you made that you should have made differently,
Mistakes you made,
Times you were a victim of life
And a victim of pain …internally
All the time, some sort of pain.
At the time, you always thought you were doing your best,
But here you are, convicted of a crime you didn’t think you were capable of committing.
Suddenly the Judge’s voice brings you back to the present.
“You are guilty of this crime. And the law says that there has to be a debt paid to punish the crime. There is nothing I can do to change that. That is the law of this court, the law of the land, the law of the universe. Period.
But I’ll tell you what I will do.
I live in a very nice house. Judges make a lot of money, and the house is well furnished.
I drive a luxury car.
I have a daughter and a son that I love very much.
My wife is the most supportive, loving person that you’ll ever meet.
She cooks so well, that the aroma of her cooking is enough to feed you.
I don’t want to live without any of these things. They are my life.
But I will go to prison for you, and serve your sentence, if you agree to take my place in this world.”
“WHAT DID HE SAY?” You ask out loud.
“I said that I want you to live my good life, and I will spend my life in prison for you”
“WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT?”
“Love” he says.
“YOU CAN’T LOVE ME, YOU DON’T KNOW ME. I’M A MURDERER.”
“Love has no boundaries” he says.
The guards come and handcuff this good man and bring him to prison. You go on and live a life that most people only dream about. But every day you think of that man in prison.
Every time you smell a flower or eat a meal or take a child by the hand
You remember the sacrifice made
For you. Unworthy you. Criminal you.
And you live your life, every day, in honor of that man.
You see where I’m going?
Jesus did that for me.
And for you.
When He died on the cross for our sins.
When I think of it, I’m completely at a loss as to how to respond,
Except …
To live my life, like one who has been forgiven,
Like one who has been shown mercy,
Like one who knows compassion.
Like one who owes a debt, … to live for Him, who died for me.
I’m a bit at a loss for words,
No…More than that.
I’m completely undone,
Torn apart at the seams,
When I think about the friendship,
Dedication,
Perseverance,
Love,
Mercy,
And grace
That has been shown me by an individual. I absolutely have to try to explain, in the hope that at least one person might understand, and my tears that appear suddenly at times won’t be tears shed alone.
Imagine, if you will, that you have been tried in a court of law and been found guilty of the murder of an innocent. You were found guilty because you were, indeed, guilty. Many of us cannot imagine an uglier crime. But you did it.
You have regret,
But you did it.
You stand before a jury of your peers who are about to sentence you.
A bead of sweat falls down your temple.
This is it. This is your life …on the line.
You’re sentence is read,
“life in prison”
You’re going to be behind bars the rest of your life. No freedom … at all.
No trees or birds or walks in the park.
No pets or sunsets.
No sharing stories with a friend over a cup of coffee.
No fishing.
Only concrete
And bars.
There is a pause after your punishment is announced, that seems like an eternity.
An entire life of regret flashes before you.
Decisions you made that you should have made differently,
Mistakes you made,
Times you were a victim of life
And a victim of pain …internally
All the time, some sort of pain.
At the time, you always thought you were doing your best,
But here you are, convicted of a crime you didn’t think you were capable of committing.
Suddenly the Judge’s voice brings you back to the present.
“You are guilty of this crime. And the law says that there has to be a debt paid to punish the crime. There is nothing I can do to change that. That is the law of this court, the law of the land, the law of the universe. Period.
But I’ll tell you what I will do.
I live in a very nice house. Judges make a lot of money, and the house is well furnished.
I drive a luxury car.
I have a daughter and a son that I love very much.
My wife is the most supportive, loving person that you’ll ever meet.
She cooks so well, that the aroma of her cooking is enough to feed you.
I don’t want to live without any of these things. They are my life.
But I will go to prison for you, and serve your sentence, if you agree to take my place in this world.”
“WHAT DID HE SAY?” You ask out loud.
“I said that I want you to live my good life, and I will spend my life in prison for you”
“WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT?”
“Love” he says.
“YOU CAN’T LOVE ME, YOU DON’T KNOW ME. I’M A MURDERER.”
“Love has no boundaries” he says.
The guards come and handcuff this good man and bring him to prison. You go on and live a life that most people only dream about. But every day you think of that man in prison.
Every time you smell a flower or eat a meal or take a child by the hand
You remember the sacrifice made
For you. Unworthy you. Criminal you.
And you live your life, every day, in honor of that man.
You see where I’m going?
Jesus did that for me.
And for you.
When He died on the cross for our sins.
When I think of it, I’m completely at a loss as to how to respond,
Except …
To live my life, like one who has been forgiven,
Like one who has been shown mercy,
Like one who knows compassion.
Like one who owes a debt, … to live for Him, who died for me.
_02
Reply #2 Wednesday, March 23, 2005 4:06 PM
Reply #2 Wednesday, March 23, 2005 4:06 PM
Most excellent. Bill! You have the gift of writing. Well Done. There is'nt much left to say, except I totally agree, feel and understand. He is our reason for being.
gooberbean28
Reply #3 Wednesday, March 23, 2005 4:12 PM
Reply #3 Wednesday, March 23, 2005 4:12 PM
Glory to God! Because he died ,I have life! He gave his all and now he has risen, Because HE LIVES I can face tomorrow!!
Sleeping Dragon
Reply #4 Wednesday, March 23, 2005 4:44 PM
Reply #4 Wednesday, March 23, 2005 4:44 PM
COOL avatar, gooberbean!!! 
Thanks folks. Just thinking on paper ...uh monitor .. er keyboard.
Thanks folks. Just thinking on paper ...uh monitor .. er keyboard.
butch123
Reply #5 Wednesday, March 23, 2005 5:05 PM
Reply #5 Wednesday, March 23, 2005 5:05 PM
Bro gooberbean28, love the new avatar..Maybe time to change mine..
gooberbean28
Reply #7 Wednesday, March 23, 2005 5:09 PM
Reply #7 Wednesday, March 23, 2005 5:09 PM
Thanks guys! A friend made it, I liked it so they said I could use it! 
DigitalCHET
Reply #8 Thursday, March 24, 2005 1:20 AM
Reply #8 Thursday, March 24, 2005 1:20 AM
Beautiful SD... I totally wholeheartedly agree. Free indeed....
adong656
Reply #9 Sunday, December 11, 2005 7:32 PM
Reply #9 Sunday, December 11, 2005 7:32 PM
Wow, that's awesome man. way to speak out for Christ
aimzzz
Reply #11 Sunday, December 11, 2005 8:17 PM
Reply #11 Sunday, December 11, 2005 8:17 PM
The true Christmas gift. It is perfect to see this thread again now. Thank you, SD 
starkers
Reply #12 Sunday, December 11, 2005 10:27 PM
Reply #12 Sunday, December 11, 2005 10:27 PM
So profound and meaningful...thanks, SD, for remining us that, above all things, love is the greatest gift of all. 
Please login to comment and/or vote for this skin.
Welcome Guest! Please take the time to register with us.
There are many great features available to you once you register, including:
- Richer content, access to many features that are disabled for guests like commenting on the forums and downloading skins.
- Access to a great community, with a massive database of many, many areas of interest.
- Access to contests & subscription offers like exclusive emails.
- It's simple, and FREE!
Reply #1 Wednesday, March 23, 2005 2:25 PM