In Justice's Court
I have liked the clever, thought-provoking words of Let Us Love and Sing and Wonder since we started singing it at church, and in particular one verse:
Let us wonder grace and justice
Join and point to mercy's store
When through grace in Christ our trust is
Justice smiles and asks no more
(And no, the reason I liked it isn't because we enjoy pointing out that it would be funny if Grace and Mercy had a brother named Justice.)
The vision of justice smiling and asking no more had appealed to my imagination as a perfect word picture. But for some reason, as we sang the song last Sunday, it struck me particularly; and as I envisioned it, I decided to write a poem. So, yesterday I did. As usual, I had a hard time naming it, so I went with something boringish.
In Justice's Court
High up above
He sits on his chair
Dark flowing robes
Around his spare form
And he looks down at me
As I stand in the dock
I cannot hold his gaze
As my cheeks start to warm.
No hint of compassion
From those steely eyes
No hint of a smile
From his down-turned lips
I want to observe
His angular face
But 'neath his changeless gaze
How my heart skips!
As he evenly speaks
In emotionless voice
My frame starts to shake
As my color runs dry.
"Look at this wretch,"
Calls out the voice,
"So full of transgressions
I can't understand why.
Your thoughts have been evil
Since the day of your birth
You have not loved others
Or done what you should
You've stolen and lusted
For what was not yours-
Yet after all that
You thought yourself good.
You grumbled and swore
And as you lived your life
You've gone your own way.
Yet with all of this
You were not content
But with each offense
You filled every day."
Out of despair
I lifted my face
Tears streaming down
I sank to my knees.
"What is your defense?"
The voice came again.
"I did not understand.
I beg-forgive me, please!"
His frown only deepened.
"Your crimes are so great
No repayment I find
Fits your guiltiness well.
There's but one thing,"
And he gave a slight nod
As though he were pleased,
"Eternity in hell."
At the force of his words
I could not even speak
And as my tears flowed
I knew he was right.
I deserved this sentence
Which I could not bear.
As I cried out, "Forgive!"
There appeared a light.
Then came a voice
So tender and soft
Sweeter than any
I had before heard
"Yes, Justice, forgive,"
Said this smiling voice,
"This one has not sinned.
It was I; take My word."
My heart filled with love
For this Man in between
Me and this Justice
And what I should get.
But could Justice accept
What this Man had proposed?
For the tiniest sin
He could not just forget.
To see what he thought,
I peeked around
This big, shining Man
Who had taken my place
And my heart skipped a beat
At that silent Justice
For he had a great
Smile on his face.