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“Black Friday.” While the origin of the name may be debated, in our current culture Black Friday refers to the day after Thanksgiving. It’s the “official” start of the holiday shopping season and when stores offer unbelievable deals on select merchandise for a limited time. As a result, shoppers across the country deprive themselves of sleep, brave the cutting cold weather, and stand in line for hours waiting, hoping to find the deal of a lifetime.

Yet, the greatest deal of all time will not be found in any newspaper ads, or big box stores. It can never be gained by standing in line, it is not offered for only a few hours, nor is it in limited supply. Instead, this deal is found in the pages of the Bible.

Matthew 27 records it this way “From the sixth hour until the ninth hour darkness came over all the land. About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"...And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split.” 

On this “Back Friday” nearly 2000 years ago, an innocent man died a criminal's death. Sin was paid for and salvation secured by the shed blood and death of Jesus Christ. Romans 3:22-24 delivers this promise “This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”

This deal is truly the best ever offered. There are no gimmicks, fine print, limited offerings, or mail-in-rebates. Better yet, God’s supply never runs out, nor does he make us stand in long lines waiting to be served. Instead, this deal is offered freely to everyone, anywhere, at anytime. The value may be priceless, yet the cost to us is nothing. Simply trust and belief in Jesus Christ alone.

As the beloved Hymn says "Jesus paid it all, All to Him I owe; Sin had left a crimson stain — He washed it white as snow."

Have you experienced the greatest deal of all time? The cleansing, life giving power of Jesus Christ? If not the offer has not expired and is still available for all who believe.

If you have, spend some time today reflecting on God’s great gift, and thanking him for it.

In the words of Bessie Sykes “Thank you, Lord, for saving my soul, Thank you, Lord, for making me whole; Thank you, Lord, for giving to me Thy great salvation so rich and free.”

I am not one who especially enjoys going to garage sales, instead of finding treasures I often find it to be a waste of time. However, when I do stop by one I am often amazed at what people are selling; or maybe a more accurate way to say it is, I am amazed at what some people think their stuff is worth.

This truth has been driven home for me by the TV show “Pawn Stars.” This program is a reality show about a family owned and operated pawn shop based in Las Vegas NV. The tagline for the show, I never know what is going to walk in that door, is proven true each week as people from all walks of life bring in their odd, different, and downright unusual stuff for the pawn shop to buy. However more striking than items brought into the pawn shop is what people think that their stuff is worth. Even more surprising is how soon they are swayed by the proprietors and agree on an amount much less than they were first set on; sometimes putting up very little fight.

Sadly this far too often resembles life. Again and again we give in to momentary pleasures that carry lasting consequences. We know what is right. We know what is good. We know what God’s desires are. Yet we give in to temptation and dabble in things contrary to His Word, at times barely putting up a good fight. We are exchanging our holiness for temporary gratification. Ignoring God’s Spirit and feeding our flesh. For what? What do we really gain through such actions? What return is there in the investment of sin?

Galatians 6:7-9 tell us “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.”

This is also seen as man puts His desires and pursuits before that of God’s; when the focus of his life is to acquire stuff. Money, Health, a good job, a stable family, a safe place to live… the list goes on and on. But at what cost? What good is all this stuff when we exhale our last breath?

Christ asked the same question is Mark 8:36-37. He said “What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?”

Does the pursuit of earthly possessions gain us anything in the end? Does the pleasure of a moment really last for eternity? Are any of these things really worth our soul? Better yet what is your soul worth?

God knows. He said your soul is worth everything. That’s just what He gave: everything, even His Son’s life. Christ willingly give His life as a ransom, a payment for your soul! He paid the debt sin had dug and redeemed a life that was set for loss. Christ exchanged His life for yours. As the Apostle put it “You are not your own, you’ve been bought with a price therefore honor God with your body.”

Instead of pawing our soul for momentary pleasures or selfish gain we are called to seek God’s kingdom first; to seek His righteousness in the person of Jesus Christ. Daily putting to death our sinful nature and desires in Blood of Christ, allowing His Word and Spirit to guide our paths each step of the way. While seeking to expand His kingdom of grace by sharing His love with others.

Let’s stop chasing after things of the moment and pursue the righteousness found in Jesus Christ.

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