Kyle McDonald dreamed of owning a house. He didn’t want to spend any money; he wanted to trade for it. So, inspired by the childhood game “Bigger and Better,” the 26-year-old Canadian man put his sales job on hold to focus on the trading game.
Kyle started by offering one red paper clip on Craig’s list. Soon, two young women who thought the game was fun traded a fish-shaped ink pen for Kyle’s paper clip. The pen became a whimsical doorknob, which became a camping stove, which became a generator.
The trading game was off and running so Kyle started a website. The traded items continued to get bigger and better and included things like a snowmobile, a recording contract, and an afternoon with Alice Cooper. One year and 14 trades later, Kyle traded a speaking part in a movie for a key to his very own house with the town of Kipling, Saskatchewan. (For more on Kyle’s trade)
Kyle got a house for no money. All it took was twelve months and one red paper clip. That’s a pretty good trade. But I know of one trade much “bigger and better.” Jesus willingly makes this trade with all who will receive it.
Before this trade, we are in an eternally desperate situation. We are sinners, separated from God. We deserve nothing but death and eternal punishment. We can do nothing about it ourselves. We can’t be good enough to earn heaven. We can’t work hard enough to purchase eternal life. We are without God and without hope (Ephesians 2:12). (How to know Jesus)
But God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16, NIV
Jesus makes this eternal life possible because He takes what we deserve and gives us what only He can give.
Here’s a sample of how we benefit in this glorious exchange:
- Jesus took our punishment and gave us His peace (Isaiah 53:5-6).
- Jesus took our eternal condemnation and gave us eternal life (John 3:16-18).
- Jesus took our death we earned and gave us justification (Romans 4:23-25).
- Jesus took our sin and gives us His righteousness (1 Peter 3:18).
Only Jesus’ sacrificial death is sufficient to provide our eternal salvation. His life satisfied our death penalty. His shed blood makes our forgiveness possible. His life given for our life. What an incredible exchange!
Have you experienced this great exchange? If not, why not today? If you have, tell us what amazes you most about what Jesus has done for you!
This story was taken from Kathy’s newest Bible study, “Embraced by Holiness.”
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