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b'I crossed my arms over my stomach self-consciously, trying to hide the tattoos that condemned me. I\\u2019m not sure why I bothered. Everyone in the courtroom had seen all they needed to.\\nEvery citizen bore the sin mark, but some were more visible than others. And mytattoos were a grim stain that covered my hands and arms, even crawling up the sides of my neck. I\\u2019d had the mark my entire life. I\\u2019d never lived a single day without it. But as I\\u2019d grown older\\u2014as I succumbed to my selfish desires, my greed, my lust\\u2014the mark had grown. It had stained my skin so that anyone could see.\\nThe judge sat high on his perch, draped in crimson robes and wearing a twisted expression of disgust as his eyes flicked down to my stained hands. The jury was the same. Two perfect lines of scowling faces. Each juror was wearing a clean pressed robe, reminding me I was at their mercy.\\nI sat in my creaky chair, and I felt naked beneath their scrutiny. This couldn\\u2019t be happening. The judge stood slowly from his seat, gavel in hand. \\xe2\\u20ac\\u0153You have been found guilty of all charges and are hereby sentenced to immediate execution.\\xe2\\u20ac\\x9d\\nIt felt as if the floor was falling out from beneath me as he lifted his gavel to seal the sentence. But before the wood of the gavel connected with the block, the double doors at the back of the courtroom were thrown open. I spun around in my chair, and through the blur of my own tears I saw a man racing toward the judge.\\n\\xe2\\u20ac\\u0153Wait!\\xe2\\u20ac\\x9d he shouted. He stopped beside my chair. There was sweat on his brow, and he was out of breath. How far had he run?\\nThe judge\\u2019s face contorted in fury. \\xe2\\u20ac\\u0153How dare you! This is a closed courtroom!\\xe2\\u20ac\\x9d\\nThe man looked over at me. He must have seen the fear and desperation in my eyes, the tears that threatened to spill over, the humiliation and shame. His own eyes filled with compassion and love. But why? Who was this man? And what could he do to save me from what I rightfully deserved? \\u2022 Emily Tenter\\n\\u2022 Can you remember a time when people knew you were guilty of sin? What did that feel like?\\n\\u2022 We all sat guilty under the law, but Jesus raced in to save us. How might this give you hope? \\nSo now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1 (NLT)\\n\\xa0\\nRead Verses:\\nJohn.8.1-John.8.11|Rom.3.23'