Two: An Epic Trade Deal
When you trusted in jesus…
Each of us has experienced the process of trading something. These “trade deals” are nothing more than the fact that I have something you might want and you have something I might want. If we both believe what we are getting is worth at least as much as what we are giving up, a successful trade is achieved. In the distant past, these trades were often made with different, highly desirable goods, like bread for some beef. In our present time, they are almost always made with currency or money. We daily trade dollars for different goods and services, whether at a store or online. For those with a job, we trade our skills, products, services and labor to get more dollars. The thing almost all trade deals have in common is that each person in the trade believes they are getting at least a reasonable or even good deal. That the value of what they are giving up is worth what they are getting int return. When you trusted in Jesus, you agreed to the most one-sided and amazing trade deal in history.
Never in human history has there been a trade deal so one-sided— where one person got so many amazing things while the other not only received nothing good, but also took the worst things from the other person upon themselves. This is the truly Epic Trade Deal that Jesus made with us. In this deal, Jesus took upon Himself our sin, so that we might be righteous, or made pure, in God’s eyes. Jesus was also wounded in His body, so that we might be healed and made whole in body, mind and heart. He was also cursed for us, that we might be blessed and receive God’s Spirit within. If that wasn’t enough, Jesus died for us, that we would be made alive and reunited with God. It is our loving Savior that brings good news to the poor in spirit, liberty to those who are bound, beauty and joy instead of mourning, and praise instead of a heart of despair (Isaiah 61:1-3). He gave us unimaginable gifts of life, joy and blessing and took from us, upon Himself, all of the brokenness, sin and death that tortured our souls. An epic trade indeed!
Yet in pride, many people, including each of us at one time, rejected this deal. Whether it was believing it too good to be true or thinking we didn’t need it, we became our own worst enemy. The only thing to be done in response to receiving this incredible trade is simply to live a life filled with immense gratitude and thankfulness. To remember what Jesus did for us and learn to extend this kind of sacrificial love to others in our life. To keep this reality before our hearts and minds, not forgetting what Jesus took from us and gave to us instead. To not squander these amazing gifts that have been given, but instead to share them with others every chance we get!