Once upon a time, a couple wanted to adopt a child. After careful
research, an adoption society gave them the name of a child who might
be suitable. The backgrounds of both the child and the adopting parents
were then carefully checked before the child was brought to their home
to see if he felt comfortable with the prospective parents. At the end of
that trial period, they were all assessed for suitability and then invited to
a local courtroom.
The adopting parents sat in the courtroom looking up at the judge on
his platform. He looked at them with the sternest expression and spoke
in the gravest of tones.
“I have not yet signed my name on this certificate of adoption. Up until
now you have had a choice whether to say yes or whether to say no to
this child. If I sign this piece of paper, then this child will be yours for ever.
There will be no going back. According to the law of this state, it will be
as if he is your natural son. Now you don’t have any idea how he is going
to turn out. He could turn to drugs. He could cost you everything. Now
consider. Do you want me to sign this certificate?”
The adopting parents said, ëYes.í
At this moment, the judge came down from the platform and, with
tears in his eyes, handed them the signed certificate. He looked at them
and said, “You have made a wonderful decision, and I can say that with
certainty because I too have an adopted son”.
Did you see what happened in that story? The judge came down from
the high, intimidating and remote place, stepped forward and revealed
himself as a loving, adopting father!
Mark Stibbe
From the book “What is Reformed Theology?: Understanding the Basics”