The story of Schapelle Corby is one of the most intruiging that we have had in Australia for a long time. It seems obvious that she is innocent and we are all sympathetic for the struggles she is going through.

Who is Schapelle Corby and What is this all About?

Well, to get the full story, I recommend the Wikipedia website.....try clicking here. However, in a nutshell, Schapelle, an Australian beautician was enroute to Bali for a lovely Indonesian Holiday but when she disembarked at Bali, illegal narcotics were found in her luggage. Schapelle claimed that she had no idea how the drugs got there, and the claim was also backed up by a travelling partner.

She has been under trial for drug smuggling and fully aware that if she was found guilty, she faced a maximum penalty of death by firing squad, although it was more likely she would face life imprisonment. In addition, she also faced an additional charge of possesion of Category 1 drugs, in this case Marijuana.

The legal process has dragged out over 8 months and as we have heard both sides of the story it has become increasingly obvious that the drugs were planted by baggage handlers in Australia.....Schapelles real crime may be in fact that she did not put locks on her bags. A supporter website called "Don't Shoot Schapelle" ran a poll in which 99.5% of people said they believed she was innocent. (over 165,000 people took the poll)

This article however is not only about that trial.........but the "trials" of Schapelle Corby. Because she has had to deal with a lot more than just a judicial process. She has had to face a lot of media pressure, she has had to face her fears, stress, anxiety and to contemplate the possibility of death. These situations may possibility be among the greatest trials that any human can cope with.........and at times it seems she has struggled to cope.

In the last couple of weeks though, she has found a solace from these trials.....Schapelle has found strength through a new found faith in God. A chaplain to the prison was able to share bible portions with her and leave a bible with her to read, and soon after this Schapelle was baptised. She is coping much better now as a result, but even so, the trials have still not left her, even though the big trial is now over.

Today (May 27, 2005) the decision was handed down and she was found guilty of importing illegal drugs, a decision which many people, including myself believe is wrong. As a result she has been sentenced to jail for 20 years. We feel for her and sympathize with her family too. Schapelle will sadly now pay the price for a crime she did not commit and suffer the penalty of anothers wrongdoing?

It's very reminiscent of Jesus Christ!

Everyone knows the story of how Jesus was crucified, but not many know that He was totally innocent. He was not a criminal, nor a sinner, but nevertheless was killed just the same. He died for sins He didn't commit and for crimes that were not His...........in fact it was your sins that He died for. He was paying the penalty for your crimes against God.

The Bible says in Luke 23:39-41 (New International Version) "One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: "Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!" But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong."

In another part of the Bible (Hebrews 4:15 ) that Jesus was "tempted in every way, just as we are, yet was without sin."

Was Jesus a victim also?

Not in the way we might first think. The Bible says in John 3:16 that "God so loved the world that He sent His one and only son [Jesus] that whoever believes in Him might not perish but have everlasting life." So even though Jesus was "guilty though innocent" just like Schapelle, it was actually because it was part of the plan of God to save us from our sins.

I want to ask you a question: Would you be willing to serve out Schapelle's sentence for her?

You would probably answer with a NO. Firstly you did not commit a crime, it has nothing to do with you. And neither would anyone expect you to stand in for her so that she could be let off. However someone who loved her very deeply might consider giving up their life and time to serve out her penalty on her behalf. Maybe her father or brother might consider it, but most people wouldn't. But this is precisly what Jesus was doing when He did die on the cross. He was serving out a penalty for someone else.....it was the penalty for your sins, and He did this because He very deeply loves you.

Just quickly........what is sin? Basically it is living your own way with no regard for God or what God wants from you. The Bible tells us in 1 John 1:8 (New International Version) that "If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us." In other words if we think we are innocent in God's eyes and are not guilty of sin.........we are fooling ourselves. So basically, according to the Heavenly Law (as recorded in the Bible) you are guilty. You deserve to die. The Bible says that too. Romans 6:23 (New International Version) "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life."

Each human being is responsible for their own behaviour. A small misdeed like lying is still an offence before God and it requires punishment. This is because God is just and true justice requires that the guilty are punished. However God is also kind and understanding..........his heart is more sympathetic towards us than ours are towards Schapelle. That is why He made arrangments for Jesus to die and take the penalty for you.

All that remains is for you to believe and accept the gift of God........the forgiveness of your sins and free gift of eternal life. It also means a change in your lifestyle so that you will live mindful of God and what He requires rather than ignoring Him as you did in the past.

The Bible says that for those who believe and become followers of Jesus, they will be spared from eternal judgement, but for those who choose not to believe a terrible fate awaits them.........far worse than the fate of Schapelle.

So the fact of the matter is that one day each of us will face trial before God. Each of us is guilty of sin, but for those who put their faith in Jesus Christ, there is forgiveness for their sins and in God's eyse.........they will be acquitted........declared innocent. But for those who refuse to believe.........their guilt will be obvious.

A Choice is required from you..............you must make a decision.

Will you believe that your life is in jeopardy and that you need to believe in Jesus Christ. Or will you fob these words off and continue in your sins (continue to ignore God).

If you would like to accept the gift of God and the forgiveness of your sins, here is a prayer you can pray to do so. Words on their own mean nothing if they are not accompanied by a sincere heart.......so I trust that with the sincerity you have.......that you will find God today.

"Dear Jesus, I accept responsibility for my sins and I ask that you would remove my sins from me and that the punishement I deserve would be taken also because of what you did on the cross. I pray that you would give me a brand new life and also give me eternal life with you in Heaven when the time comes for me to pass over. I pray that you would help me to change my lifestyle and become a follower of yours. Make me clean and help me to be the person you want me to be. Amen."

If you prayed this prayer today, please leave your details with me and I will send some further helpful information to you. I will also commit to praying for you that God will help you in your new faith and also help you with any other struggles you have.

Leave your details here

FINAL COMMENT: In my home town of Mt Morgan, I and my friends have prayed for Schapelle frequently and are saddened by the way things have turned out. Despite this though we believe her new found faith in God will sustain her as she serves out the penalty. We ask you to continue to join with us in prayer for her as an appeal process is mounted by Schapelle and her lawyers.