365 Days of the Great Names of God, Day 304: Surety

Surety

"This makes Jesus the surety of a better covenant. The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office; but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues for ever. Consequently he is able for all time to save those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. For it was fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, blameless, unstained, separated from sinners, exalted above the heavens." (Hebrews 7:22-26 RSV)

The accused stands before the Judge's bench. He is wearing the clothing he was assigned when he was taken into custody. His shirt reads, "Debtor." In his hands, he holds a single piece of paper.

The Judge looks at him sternly. "We are here today in the matter of your debt."

"May I approach the bench?" the accused asks haltingly.

"You may," the Judge responds.

The accused moves tentatively toward the bench.

"Please," he begs the Judge. "Let me go. I want to be free. I promise I will repay my debt. I take full responsibility for it."

The Judge responds, "Your debt is very large. I cannot let you go until you have shown me some guarantee it will be repaid."

"It will be," the accused insists. "I have my account right here."

The accused lays his single sheet of paper on the bench.

"Here it is," he tells the judge. "This is the record of my debt and a list of all my assets. You can see that I will be able to repay what I owe. Please let me go free."

The Judge looks at the piece of paper and then back at the accused.

"This is not your whole debt," He tells the debtor. "This is only a small portion of it. The accounts of the rest of your debt are there." He gestures behind the debtor, who turns to see a table piled high with black ledgers in towering stacks.

"THAT is my debt?" he asks incredulously. "It can't be!" he protests.

"It is," the Judge says. "There are debts you've forgotten about and many you didn't even know you incurred in the first place. I'm sorry, but I wouldn't be doing my job if I didn't require a guarantee that all these would be paid back."

The debtor hangs his head. "There is no way I can ever repay all that debt. I'll never be free."

A door at the back of the courtroom opens, and a figure walks down the aisle. He is dressed in a robe on which has been inscribed "Faithful and True." He walks straight up to the Judge's bench without asking for permission. The debtor is astonished and waits for the Judge's reprimand, but none comes. The Judge smiles at the robed figure.

"It's okay, Dad," the Faithful and True tells the Judge. "I'll take care of his debt. I promise it will be repaid. I guarantee it. I take responsibility for it."

The Judge looks satisfied. "Alright," He says. "I will mark this debt 'Paid In Full.' "

Then the Judge looks again at the debtor.

"You may go," He tells him. "The Truth has set you free."