(Start with voices in discussion).

1. Greetings!

2. (Greetings returned)

1. Did you hear all the discussion?

2. Yes, I have been listening to it all day.

1. Tell me about it.

2. The chief is very just, and also the elders. The man we are talking about is certainly guilty, and his offence is very serious.

1. Is it true? What is the penalty?

2. The penalty is very heavy indeed. And the man is not able to pay it. However, it is just and right.

1. Very sad. I guess this man will have to be under the burden of this debt for many, many years - the rest of his life perhaps!

2. Yes. That would be the case, I'm sure. This man also seemed very sad because he confessed that he did wrong, and also that the judgment was fair. But he did not know how he could pay it. Then suddenly an elder stood up and spoke. He told the chief that his heart was heavy to hear about the wrongs his friend had done. He also told the chief that the case was judged correctly, and that the wrong would have to be paid for, regardless of whether the guilty one was rich or poor. Then the man said this: "But because this guilty one is my friend, and I love him, I wish to pay the price of his judgment. He cannot pay, but I can."

1. Ayy!! Is it true?

2. Yes, it is true. And the guilty man was amazed, and he felt very humble to think that his friend would be so good! But he agreed, and the chief ended the business.

1. Do you know, friend, this is a picture of each one of us. God's Word teaches us that each of us stands before God, the Great Chief. And He sees our hearts. He knows that we are sinners and guilty. His just penalty is everlasting punishment. What can we do? How can we escape God's penalty? We could never pay the price. God knew this, and therefore He sent His own Son to bear our judgment for us. You remember I told you the punishment was death. To take our punishment, God's Son died on a cross as a sacrifice for sin. And now if a guilty sinner agrees to accept this payment for his sins, he is freed from judgment, and that terrible punishment for sin. God's book tells us, "Everyone has to die, and after death there is judgment." Then there is a second death which is terrible indeed.

But my friend, God has provided a way out for all of us if we will trust in Jesus' death for us. God's book says, "How can we escape if we don't do something about the great salvation God has offered us?" There is no escape. Will you now put your trust in Jesus and receive Him as your Saviour from God's judgment?

Let me tell you some more about God's Son, Jesus.