The Verdict

'Judge, jury, ladies and gentleman, I would like to call your attention to the second piece of evidence
Exhibit B.'

Everyone looked at the table of evidence, except the Judge. He just smirked as to what was to come. Jing-a-ling . . . in one swift movement Jesus had jerked keys out of His pocket, but these weren't just any keys.

'Recognize these?,' Jesus said as He looked at the prosecutor.

'That look on your face was priceless when I rained on your victory parade and stopped the music to the greatest celebration hell will ever know. You thought I had died, but behold I Am alive! I snatched these right out of your gnarly claws (Rev. 1:18),' Jesus exclaimed!

'You were dead! I saw your lifeless, bloodied body hanging on the cross, saw them stick the spear into your side, place you in the tomb. I thought I had won that battle. I thought I had won the war. I didn't succeed in overtaking God, but I just knew I had killed His Son,' Satan hissed.

Jesus laughed.
'No need to cry over spilled milk."

'What I have here are the keys to Hades and to death. Like my dear friend Paul said, 'Death was swallowed up in VICTORY! Hades where is your sting? (1st Cor. 15:54-55) and I proved it that day!

The Messiah continued, 'Dad's plan worked!' he said as his voice raised with excitment. No surprise there . . . everything my Dad does is PERFECT!! But through my sacrifice on the cross, and resurrection, humans are able to be forgiven for their sins and have eternal life-- if they just believe, ask and do. Death is no more!'

With two pieces of evidence already presented, it was evident, judging from the jurors' reactions, this final witness was turning the tide.

Just days before a guilty verdict seemed like a mere formality, but now Jesus of Nazareth had laid the perfect foundation to prove His client was innocent. It was time for the third, and final, piece of evidence.

Exhibit C

Jesus took off his tie then unbuttoned the top button of his shirt. As he did this, there were murmurs throughout the courtroom. 'What on earth was He doing,' was what most people were thinking.

Like pulling something out of a stocking at Christmas, the Messiah had removed a necklace from underneath his shirt. But this wasn't just any necklace. Dangling from the cord was a bottle (Psalm 56:8).

Curiousity was at a fever-pitch as to what He was about to present. The anticipation was palpable-- like the kind those Wright brothers must've felt at Kitty Hawk in 1903 before 12 seconds that forever changed aviation and our world as we knew it.

'The contents of this bottle are from the day all of Heaven rejoiced. The day John Mark accepted me as His Savior, through his grandmother, when he was 5 years old in Elk Park, NC. These precious tears prove without any doubt my brother, my client and my friend is not guilty!'

Satan banged his fist on the table and hissed.

'But he's a fake! I've seen him over and over again do MY work and eat MY bread!! What he has proclaimed with his heart, and words, he has not practiced,' the prosecutor blurted out.

'There have been times my client has chosen this world, and his own desires, over me, but I rejoice over Phil. 1:6 . . . The work I have begun in his heart, WILL BE completed! You see that's what the blood, the nails and the cross were for-- the times my sons and daughters don't get it right,' Jesus said.

He continued, 'No, this grace, bought with a cost of my own life, should not be abused (Hebrews 10:26,27). It's as I have said, 'If you love Me, you will keep my commandments (John 14:15).' A simple truth, which requires great discipline and self-denial. I called out to him and he answered. I pursued him like a cheetah does a gazelle. I captured his heart, I inhabited his being and I speak and live through him.'

As Jesus stepped from the witness stand, something never seen before happened. Family members, friends and members of the public, who came out to watch the proceedings, all rose to their feet and applause detonated throughout the chamber.

'Worthy is the Lamb. Holy, holy, holy. We praise You, we worship You, we give You thanks! You alone are worthy,' they exclaimed.

The prosecutor knew he had lost after hearing Jesus defend his client. Furious, sad and without consolation from his legal team, he shouted.

'Make them shut up your honor! Order in the court! Make it stop!'

With great authority the Judge said.

'In my court, the praise NEVER stops! (Rev. 19:6,7)

The Verdict

Was I nervous? Sure, after all, it is my soul but the anxiety that once engulfed up my whole being had been replaced with peace and assurance (Col. 3:15).

'Has the jury reached a verdict?,' the Judge asked.

'We have your honor.'

'In the case of Satan vs. Brooks, the jury has found the defendant NOT-guilty. In addition, I sentence the prosecutor to eternal life in hell without the possiblity of parole,' the Judge said.

Every day we have the opportunity to strengthen the defense's case or the prosecutor's . . . whose will you choose?