A 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. The weight was crippling, and she was absolutely terrified.
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 boomed sternly. “Repairing that fence cost a king’s ransom, and the owner is extremely unhappy that 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 way you can have some type of mercy on me?” she sobbed. “I didn’t realize what I did was so bad. I’ll never finish paying off this debt, and you’re the only one who can help me!”
The judge spoke her name. When she saw his countenance, she noticed that it 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 at the pure face of the man in the white robe. Love like she had never seen was radiating from His eyes.
“My child, I am the designer, builder, and owner of the fence, but I forgive you. Sign the contract that says I paid your debt in full, and you may go free.”
“I’m not good enough to deserve this!” she wailed.
“Nobody is” He said kindly. “However, worth is determined by how much Someone is willing to pay”.
She asked how she could reimburse Him, 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, hurt one of My children, or simply told a lie. This gift is free, and available to everyone who will accept it.”
After she signed and waited for her paper, she asked the bailiff how the Judge could afford to cover so many debts. “It wasn’t a monetary decision for Him” he whispered gravely. “It’s not something one can fully comprehend, but I’ll say that loving others deeply makes you brave”.
The Judge waved as she left the courtroom, revealing a large scar on His hand.
In the hallway, a man saw the document she was carrying. “Good choice taking the deal, Sister; I did too.” he said with a peaceful grin. “My new life has been an incredible adventure.” She left the building feeling as though she not only had a clean slate, but somehow a new family as well.
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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