Most of us have had the experience of buying something on clearance at a going-out-of-business sale where “All Sales are FINAL.” The price seems too good to pass up but it’s offset by the risk that the item you’re looking at might not fit your need – or even worse it might be defective (in which case you’re just plain stuck).
I remember looking at a memory card when Circuit City was going out of business thinking – “sure, it’s half price” but what if it doesn’t work?” Well that story had a happy ending. I bought it – and it worked!
“Caveat emptor” is a Latin phrase meaning “let the buyer beware” which for centuries has defined the responsibility of buyers with regard to sellers. It puts the duty upon buyers to know what they are buying. It is an important principle in that it protects the seller from unreasonable expectations that the buyer may impose after the transaction. Put simply — it’s your job as the buyer to make sure you are knowledgeable about the product you are purchasing.
For some reason this phrase ran through my mind the other day when a friend mentioned the scripture in Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (NIV) It was an amusing thought. “Caveat Emptor” God. Buyer beware.
Those who frequent garage sales probably know the joy of an unexpected bargain. A valuable item for next-to-nothing. But sometimes you find items that are quite valuable EXCEPT, that they are broken. Usually it’s a missing piece or some part that no longer functions making an otherwise valuable item worthless. That’s fine if you know how to fix them. Sometimes people will give these things away. “How much for the lamp with the busted switch?” “Oh, it’s free, just take it.” Even free, some of these items no one wants. Many end up in landfills. Almost no one however, would actually pay for the broken lamp.
God apparently hasn’t heard about caveat emptor. “How much for this broken and sinful man?” “Well, how much were you thinking of paying?” “How about everything?, I’ll give you everything I have for him.” “Deal.”
Think about it. God paid everything to buy us back – even though he knew we were broken. He didn’t even haggle! God, that’s not how it’s done. You start low then work your way up. You don’t give the seller everything you have. What were you thinking?!
Didn’t God see that we were broken? Yes, the scripture makes that clear. He knew but paid anyway. He saw our missing and broken pieces. But he also sees the possibility of what will be. For him it already is. He sees men and women alive and whole. An eternal family destined to walk among the stars with their creator. And this reality is so important to him — that he was willing to pay whatever cost for that chance to bring us home.
In fact – there is no greater price that could have been paid. The most precious treasure in the universe was exchanged for our very lives. It is beyond understanding. “Caveat emptor” God. Yet the buyer was aware – and he bought us anyway.
~ Truly Free
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