“He who is his own lawyer has a fool for a client.”
-Proverb
A few years ago I accompanied my then-19-year-old son, Jonathan, to traffic court to defend against a speeding violation. “Defend” might be too strong a term. The strategy the two of us devised was for Jonathan to throw himself at the mercy of the court, hoping to get a lower fine, fewer points, and no increase in insurance premiums.
We arrived a few minutes before 9 am that Monday morning to a packed courtroom. A quick calculation revealed there were at least 230 other traffic violators there with us. Fortunately, we were out within an hour and a half with a new option for my son; pay a much-reduced fine and attend a traffic education course. The process was efficient and well-executed, and instead of one judge hearing each case, there was a cadre of attorneys that quickly adjudicated the cases.
I would like to have been able to advocate for Jonathan on his day in court, but all I was allowed to do was accompany him. I watched as a spectator as he represented himself. My presence was all I had to offer.
On a Thursday evening about 2000 years ago, Jesus shared a meal with His disciples. A few hours later He would submit to a kangaroo court that would take Him away from His friends, leaving them bewildered, and for a brief period, without hope. He told his disciples something on that night that must have sounded strange to them at the time. Specifically, that He would soon be leaving them, yet they would not be left alone. Jesus said to them, “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever – the Spirit of truth. The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you (Jn 14:16-17;26).”
The NIV Study Bible states the following about this passage: “Advocate is a legal term, but with a broader meaning than ‘counsel for the defense.’ As it was used in this passage, it referred to any person who helped someone in trouble with the law.” Jesus’ disciples were lawbreakers. So are you and I and my son Jonathan. Jesus came to help us out with the law, adjudicating for us on the cross. He didn’t leave us as orphans. He left us the Holy Spirit, our Advocate, to help us and be with us forever.
For those of us who are Christ Followers, we are not on our own. Not only do we have Jesus’ presence with us in the person of the Holy Spirit, but we also have Jesus advocating for us; helping those of us who were in trouble with the law because of our sin. We have thrown ourselves at the mercy of the court. Not only have we received mercy (not getting what we deserve), we have received grace (getting what we do not deserve), in the process. Our fine has been paid, and we’ve been granted freedom.
Jonathan’s self-advocation worked just fine for him that day. The fine was reduced and his insurance premiums did not go up. But self-representation won’t work for you or me when we have what the Bible states is our “day in court.” Who will represent you? There is only one sufficient advocate. Choose your counsel wisely, and lean not on your own representation.
Play to win this week in the game that really counts!
Additional Resources:
- To find out more about the Holy Spirit click here.
- The 4 steps to peace with God
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