Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: COURT (02/24/22)
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TITLE: Standing Up for Jesus in Court | Previous Challenge Entry
By Art Westefeld
03/02/22 -
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My father shouted out as soon as the judge finished declaring why I was on trial in this ‘court’.
“My daughter has committed no such crime!”
The judge looked at the two of us, me with contempt and my father with something between contempt and pity. As they don’t use gavels he blew a long deep note on the conch shell used to restore order in the court.
“Dward, and Lori, do either of you deny that Curi is our god and that he and his son Neh-mor are the only acceptable ones to be worshipped?“
My father whispered into the water, “I don’t.”
“Lori, I’m waiting for your answer,” the judge thundered a couple of minutes after my father’s confession.
Despite knowing that the court would likely sentence me the minute I answered, I spoke the truth that had been ingrained in me since childhood. “I do. I have put my faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Mutters bubbled around the court. My father looked at me with sadness.
The judge quieted the court again and asked, “I take it that this is your surface upbringing?”
Having already convicted myself, I answered, “Yes.”
“What do you base your beliefs on?”
I couldn’t beleive it. He was offering me a chance to proclaim the Gospel in open court. “I base them on the saving knowledge that Christ died for my sins.” Feeling emboldened I continued, “He also died for your sins, and don’t tell me you are perfect,because you worship Curi and Neh-mor, you’ve already sinned.”
The bubbling grew louder, with more than one person saying, “How dare she accuse the judge of sin.”
The judge blew his conch again, harder than the last time, “Please tell me,” he said mockingly, “What will happen if I don’t worship your way?”
As my mom used to say, ‘in for a penny, in for a pound.’ I answered him, “You will suffer for all eternity in a lake of hell-fire.”
My father interjected, “May I offer an explanation for my daughter’s rash statements?”
Dad’s shoulders slumped in defeat when the word, “No,” rang out across the court.
“Lori,” the judge projected his voice so loud that I thought people outside the court could hear him, “due to your youth I’m not going to hand down the prescribed punishment for your crime, but I will command you not to speak of this surface faith again.”
I didn’t know what punishment I avoided, but like Peter and John when they were in a court for proclaiming Christ, I responded, “If I don’t speak, then the rocks will cry out, sir.”
“Lori,” he warned, “you’re risking banishment to the open seas if you continue.”
I raised my voice to counter the murmuring in the court. “Jesus died for me, so I can accept banishment in His name!”
“The court is going to pause to consider the halfbreed’s punishment.” The judge spoke quietly.
I was led back to confinement, and as I looked over my shoulder I saw my stepmother and step brother looking distressed. Considering Rthur’s treatment of me since I became a full time water breather, I was shocked to see his face like that. Dad’s wife, Gelly, has tried to get along with me, but the language barrier has made it hard.
A couple of hours later, I was ushered back into court. The judge looked unhappy to be there, and he was overshadowed by the high priest. Looking at his expression, as nasty as spoiled tartar sauce, I was certain I was going to be banished. For the sake of my Lord I put on a brave face, as the judge blew the conch shell.
“Lori, the decision has been made.” He took a deep breath and exhaled bubbles from his gills. “You may stay in our community, but you may only speak of your surface faith to your family and your friends. If you speak publicly, you will be imprisoned while we teach you how to survive the open seas.”
I wanted to respond, but my family rushed me out of court. Rthur asked me, “Lori, is your surface God worth being separated from us?”
I looked at my brother and said confidently, “Yes, He is, but that may not be necessary.” I grinned. “The judge placed no limit on how many friends I may have.”
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Author's note: Peter and John did not really say that the stones would cry out. Lori simply has not kept up with reading Scripture and misquoted the Bible.
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