For some reason, lots of folks have been posting videos of a transaction that is supposed to be a great bargain for both parties. Person A says, “Let’s both put $20 on the table,” which they do. Then person A says, “I’m going to buy that for $30. So you made $10 and I made $10.”  Everyone is amazed at this ridiculous transaction. Person B should be happy, because her or she did indeed end up with $10 more. But person A actually lost money. Think of it this way. There is a total of $70. Person A starts with $50, person B starts with $20. After they both put $20 on the table, Person A puts another $30 on the table. Person B takes $30, person A ends up with $40. They did not “both make $10.” It is not equitable.

I think this is a reflection of the convoluted way this world thinks. So much of what the world values is a losing proposition. A worthwhile transaction is beneficial to both parties involved. Hopefully you will have a win-win situation.

Let me remind you of the best transaction in history.

“So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:16–21)

We get an unthinkable blessing from what God did: reconciliation and righteousness before God, something we could never merit on our own. And God gets what He wants: A restored relationship with the children He loves so dearly. God took your sin and put it on Jesus. He took the perfection of Jesus and puts it on you. It cost you nothing. It cost Jesus His life. Paul encourages everyone to take advantage of this one of a kind deal when he says, “Be reconciled to God.” All you have to do is receive this tremendous gift.

But wait…there’s more. After you have received this gift, you can give it to others without detracting anything from what you have received. His payment for sin covered every sin.

“He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.” (1 John 2:2)

The death of Jesus was the payment for sin. His resurrection ensures your resurrection from death. He did it all. You get the benefit. That is truly a bargain you cannot live without.