The Advocate

In judgment, I stood
Condemned to die,
Devoid of defenses
Having no alibi.

My pardon denied
Nothing left to appeal.
The sentence was passed
Signed, stamped and sealed.

I stood alone,
My head hung in shame,
With nothing to argue
And no one to blame.

The crimes I'd committed
My errors, my blights
Could not be omitted
Even by things I'd done right.

Yet I opened my mouth
To make one final plea
To beg for the Court
To have mercy on me.

But the Judge raised His hand
His position was firm.
My life was required
For the law that I'd spurned.

The gavel then sounded
Sealing my fate,
When a soft voice behind me,
Simply said, "Wait."

The Judge looked over
And to my surprise,
The warmest compassion
Danced in His eyes.

I turned to see
From whence the voice had come
And came face to face
With the Judge's only Son.

He said, "Father, I know
That this wretch must die.
But I am now come
That she might have life.

There is no reason
Her blood should be shed.
So I ask that You
Take my life instead."

The Judge turned to hear
What I had to say,
But I looked at His Son
And whispered, "I have nothing to pay."

The Son sweetly smiled,
And said, "My gift is free.
All that I ask
Is that you believe in Me."

The decision was made
With the greatest of ease.
I thought just for one moment
Then dropped to my knees.

Hands stretched to Heaven,
"I believe," I cried.
The Son then walked over
To stand by my side.

"Father," He said,
Though she's come short of Your glory,
This sentence of death
Must not end her story."

The Judge looked with love
At His Son, then at me,
And said, "You should die,
But I'll show you mercy."

My mouth hung open,
Knowing not what to say,
As guards took the Son
And led Him away.

I started to protest
To put up a fight,
But He said, "It is finished,"
Then stepped out of sight.

"You are redeemed," said the Judge
"A brand new creation,
A peculiar person
From a holy nation.

No condemnation remains,
So, go. You are free.
My Son's sacrifice
Has given you liberty."

This poem won second place for the June 2008 poetry contest