If I were Schapelle
Along with the rest of the country, I have watched the tale of Schapelle Corby and her arrest, her trial and her sentencing unfold, and think what a terrible thing it would be to fall into the hands of the Indonesian, or any other, judicial system. But then whispers of a Bible verse came to mind, “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31). Not because God is unnecessarily harsh, or capable of the wrong decision, but because he is so very just and holy that there is only one way for the sentence to fall.
Then I also thought how amazed we would have been if Schapelle had been acquitted and set free at this point. Without making any comment on whether Schapelle herself is innocent or guilty, I wonder if I am equally amazed at how, when I was so absolutely guilty, and deserved so much more than 20 years in an Indonesian prison, I have been set free. And even more amazed at the means by which I was set free—by the Son of God taking the punishment I deserved. Might this case remind us of the depths of our sin, the justice of God, and let him who is forgiven much, love much. (Luke 7:47).