While Supplies Last…

This well known expression completes most every advertisement for products and services today. In marketing there is always a catch. Airlines sell tickets starting from $109 but there may be no seats available at that price unless you are the first to call for a reservation. We can even buy food “buy one and get three free….while supplies last.” It seems there is never enough of a “good thing” for everyone. Only a few are fortunate enough to get their “good thing” before the shelf is empty and most of us it seems are never the fortunate ones.

But in Christ supplies always last and there is always enough for everyone, the first and the last. In the Gospel of Luke we read of Jairus, a ruler of the Jews, who had approached Christ because his daughter was very ill and near death. While Christ was on His way to Jairus’ home, “Now a woman, having a flow of blood for twelve years came from behind and touched the border of His garment. And immediately her flow of blood stopped.” (Luke 8.43-44) Even through the poor sick woman had not gotten to Christ first, she still received the gift of His healing power. In fact it seems she arrived at the end of a large crowd and Christ didn’t even know she was near.

In the meantime Jairus’ daughter died but Christ said, “Do not be afraid; only believe, and she will be made well.” (Luke 8.50) It didn’t matter that Jesus had healed the woman because His grace is sufficient and does not expire like some commercial offer. What mattered was the Jairus had faith in Christ and he believed that Christ would heal his daughter.

Our challenge is live life in faith believing that God will make good on His promise. God has come to save us from death and sin. It doesn’t matter if we are first, last, rich, or poor, there is enough of God’s love and grace to go around. Supplies always last!