Kingdom Bites

“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.”