Which of these scenarios best describes your relationship with God?

Scenario #1—The scene is a courtroom. God, the judge robed in black, takes his seat. The guards lead you, the prisoner, into the room. You see your judge, and your heart is filled with fear. There’s a good reason you’re fearful. This judge needs to pronounce the sentence for your crimes!

Scenario #2—The scene is a courtroom. God, the judge robed in black, takes his seat. You are a young child who enters the room and makes your way through the seats filled with spectators. You run up to the judge and whisper something into his ear. The judge reaches into his pocket and gives you a piece of candy, and you exit in a happy mood. You have no fear of the man robed in black. After all, the judge is your father.

Which scenario best describes your relationship with God? Here is the difference maker: Jesus. Without Jesus, scenario #1 is our fate. With Jesus, scenario #2 is the better description. Think about that today. When the disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray, Jesus said, “This, then, is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven’” (Matthew 6:9). Jesus became the prisoner and took your sentence so that you can approach the judge without fear and call him Father. And he wants to hear from you, his child. Call on him often today!