Grace ~Joel Seibel

You find yourself sitting in a prison cell on death row. They have not yet told you when you will be put to death, but you will be.

You look sadly back on all the things you have done in your life - both good and bad. But now the bad is all that counts. "If only I hadn't lived like that. Why did I do such terrible things? Now it's too late; I'm finished."That little child who once dreamed of being a pilot or a firefighter somehow went off track.

The jailor comes and opens your door. He says, "The judge is ready for you now!"

After a long walk down a dark hall, you come to a door. It opens and you enter the courtroom. It feels cold and is filled with people you do not know. The jailor positions you before the judge. In his hand he holds a sheet of paper with your destiny written on it. Slowly, he unfolds the verdict. He stares you in the eye as if to say, "Finally, you get what you deserve." Before all the strange faces in the room, he states that on Wednesday, September twelfth of this year, you will be executed.

You feel faint; your heart is beating in your throat. It's done.

On wobbly legs you are led back to your cell. Now all you can do is wait. Death row. You are just another one of the walking dead.

One day a stranger visits you. He tells you that there is a way to get out of prison and live again. He says if you want to start over, you can. An new life awaits you, if you want it.

"How?" you ask.

He replies, "By believing that I can!"

You tell him that you will believe in anything that can free you from this sentence of death.

The man leaves and soon after, the jailor comes and unlocks the door to your cell, saying, "You're free! You can leave now!"

"What? How?" you ask.

The jailor replies, "The man who was here just paid your debt in full. There are no sins on your record. You are free to leave.

"Outside the courthouse, standing close by, is the man. You run to him and embrace him tightly. "I don't understand," you say.

He looks at you, smiles, and answers, "You will, my son. You will. Let's go start that new life of yours together!"

-John 3:16