Matthew 26- A Judge, His Son and a Garden

Please read Matthew 26 before reading this story.

There once was a Judge who had a Son.  The Judge and His Son had the best relationship ever.  The two played catch in the backyard, they had long talks about life, they always said "I love you" to each other... they were inseparable.  Not only that, they were both great people.  The Judge was widely known as a fair, righteous Judge.  The Son never did any wrong and was immensely loving toward others.

Then it came to pass that a horrific set of crimes were committed.  Murder, rape, child abuse, theft, arson, and more all rolled into one event.  The law was clear that these crimes were punishable by death.

It also came to pass that the offenders were not caught by the community, but the Son and the Judge knew who they were.  And the loved them, but the law was clear these criminals should die.

The Judge and the Son cried together.  Then the Son asked what could be done.  The Judge said the only way to save these offenders would be for the Son to take the blame.  Lovingly the Son did.

The trial was the trial was the biggest trial the community had ever seen or would ever see again.  The crimes were damning.  The law was clear that these crimes were punishable by death.  And the prosecutor was good.  He made it clear to the Judge that the Son should be put to death.

What a situation!  A Judge and a Son.  Love so strong.  Yet a law so clear.

As the trial moved on it was soon time for the sentencing.  The Son knew that He would be declared guilty.  The Son also knew that death was the punishment.  But the Son knew that His Father, the Judge, loved Him more than anything.

The Son asked for a recess.  It was grant.  Then the Son and the Judge went to the back room.

"Dad... Daddy... Dad!  If there is anyway to get out of the death penalty, please find it.  I'll do community service until I'm 130-year-old, but don't give me the death penalty.  Please, please, please don't.  You are the Judge, you have the power to lessen the sentence.  However, I trust you.  Do what is right."

The recess ended.  The gallery was at the edge of its seats.  The prosecutor was salivating.  The judgement was near.

"I have weighed the case carefully and thoughtfully" announced the Judge.  "The facts are clear.  The defendant is guilty."

The gallery waited for the sentenced to be delivered.  What would it be?  They knew that these crimes deserved death and they wanted it.

"The defendant is guilty and I have decided upon a sentence."

The Judge took a deep breath.  His face became serious.

The gallery waited for the news.

The Judge lifted His strong right hand, the gavel slammed and a deafening silence filled the room.

"Put Him to death."

Then the Judge rose and turned His back on His beloved Son to leave the room.  As He turned a single tear floated down His cheek.

The law was clear: these crimes were punishable by death.  Justice had been served.