Imagine having an attorney who not only defended you...he also endured the punishment for your crimes. Now imagine that this defense attorney was also the son of the judge and the judge permitted his son to accept your punishment. That seems to be the setting of First John, chapter 2: 1 My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 2 And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.
We learned in chapter 1 that, just like in our courtrooms, we are asked to plead guilty or not-guilty. In this fascinating courtroom from Heaven we are encouraged to plead guilty, because then our heavenly attorney will act on our behalf and our sentence will be satisfied. (Verse 9) 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
The judge already knows that we are guilty, and has all the evidence He needs. He's looking to see if we will be honest enough to admit our guilt and if we will trust Him for a solution. We are in the difficult position of needing to be judged and needing to be forgiven. Our wonderful Lord is the only one who can perfectly judge and absolutely forgive us. And it wouldn't be possible without our defense attorney, Jesus, who represents us despite our guilt and accepts our punishment. It is the perfect situation for imperfect people...like you and me!
blessings,
Rob Smith
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