Did you hear the one about the groom who came to his pastor with an unusual offer?
"Look, Pastor, I'll give you $100 if you'll change the wedding vows. When you get to the part where I'm to promise to "love, honor and obey," I'd appreciate it if you'd just leave that part out." He passed to the pastor the $100 bill and walked away, satisfied.
The big day came and the bride and groom exchanged their vows. When it came time for the groom's vows, the pastor looked at the young man in the eye and said, "Will you promise to prostrate yourself before her, obey her very command and wish, serve her breakfast in bed every morning and swear eternally before God that you will not even look at another woman, as long as you both shall live?"
The groom gulped, looked around, and said in a tiny voice, "Yes."
Then the groom leaned over and hissed at the pastor, "I thought we had a deal."
The pastor put the $100 bill back into the groom's hand and whispered back, "She made me a much better offer."
Now, I don't think that story is true. But it is probably true that most, if not all of us, enjoy making a deal. One author who wrote a book on the subject of negotiation said, "I don't pay attention to price tags. Everything is subject to negotiation. The best part of any transaction is making the deal!"
However, there is one offer that we will never be able to improve upon. That is the offer of forgiveness and unconditional love which Jesus makes to those in need of salvation and eternal life. Could we get Jesus to do anymore for us than to give up His life for our sins? Is there a better deal than eternal life in heaven through faith in Jesus? Could we negotiate anything better than God's answers to our prayers. Is there a better "perk" than the assurance of God's love in every situation?
We might be able to get a better deal when buying a car. We might be able to find a better bargain if we look hard enough. But we can really be glad that when it comes to our salvation, we'll never find a better offer than the one Jesus makes to each of us. "God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life." Amen!
