The young woman sat in the courtroom, nervously awaiting the hearing for her vandalism case. Her family had abandoned her when she was accused of the crime, so she felt completely alone against the world.
She had heard what seemed to be conflicting views regarding this judge. Some proclaimed he was severe, always exacting justice. Others insisted he was very kind and merciful. Regardless, she knew her fate was in his hands, and all the evidence was stacked against her. She was guilty of the crime with which she had been charged.
Her mind raced as her name was called. The judge told her he had already reviewed the security footage, and asked if she had anything to say in her own defense. Hands shaking, voice cracking, she managed to speak. “No, Sir. I’m the one who broke the fence. I don’t know why I did it. But I’m really not that bad of a person, compared to others. And I’ve been told you’re nice, so I hope you’ll let me off with just a warning.”
“Justice demands that the debt be paid!” the authority figure replied sternly. “Repairing that fence cost a king’s ransom, and the owner is extremely unhappy it was destroyed. The fact that others have done worse things than you has no bearing whatsoever on the consequence of this crime.”
Horror overwhelmed the woman’s soul as she realized she would have to slave many lifetimes to pay for the damage she had done. The gravity of how she wasn’t as innocent in life as she had first thought began to set in. Her life flashed before her eyes, especially scenes where she had hurt others, whether intentionally or not.
“Is there any possible way you can have mercy on me?” she sobbed. “I wish I could take back what I’ve done, but I can’t. And I’m very poor. I’ll never finish paying off this debt!”
The judge spoke her name. When she looked up, she noticed his countenance had changed.
“Approach the bench,” he said.
Trembling, she did so.
He handed her a parchment with writing on it.
“I acknowledge that the payment for the crime of destroying The Judge’s property was fulfilled by His Honor, Himself.”
She looked up into the kind, pure face of the judge in the white robe. Love such as she had never seen was radiating from His eyes.
“My child, it was My fence, but I forgive you. Sign the contract that says I paid your debt in full, and you may go free.”
She wrote her name on the signature line, barely able to see through the tears of joy and relief.
She asked how she could pay Him back, and He smiled. “You can’t. But there’s something you can do to say ‘thank you’. Tell others about the grace you received, because they can have it, too. Everyone needs forgiveness, whether they broke My fence or hurt one of My children. This gift is free for all who will accept it.”
He waved as she left the courtroom, revealing a large scar on His palm.
Free outside, she gazed in awe at her own copy of the redemption bond, and noticed something startling.
It was written in blood.
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Diamonds On My Path 
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