Debt Paid in Full

A wealthy nobleman was out for a late night stroll when he noticed a light still shining in the front room of his nephew’s home. A closer look revealed that he was slumped on to the table. Somewhat concerned, since his nephew was living alone, he walked to the front door and tested it. It was unlocked so he quietly went in. A closer look at his nephew from the door confirmed that he was alive, just sleeping. But the sight of a revolver near his outstretched hand on the table struck fear in his heart. On the other side was a note. Stealthily getting closer he looked at the note in full view on the table. The words on it were grim.

It’s hopeless. There’s no way out of this debt. Strewn over the rest of the table were several bills, large ones, unwise ones and some with severe warnings. The man leaned over the table and wrote across his nephew’s note: Paid In Full!! He also signed his name. Then he gathered up the bills plus the revolver and left.

Minutes later the nephew awoke with a start. His gun and the bills were missing. Across his note he read the marvelous news. He could hardly believe what he saw! Now there was hope and the chance of a new life.
We have also amassed an insurmountable debt of sin against God. The crucifixion was all about offering a Paid in Full receipt, compliments of His Son, Jesus. The resurrection confirmed that the payment was adequate. It’s free to us but obtained at a high price. The chorus of a song shares this wonderful news:
He paid a debt He did not owe, I owed a debt I could not pay, I needed Someone to wash my sins away.

And now I sing a brand new song, Amazing Grace, the whole day long. Christ Jesus paid the debt that I could never pay.

It’s great on the sunny side,
Henry Wiebe