The Ballestero Blog

World’s Largest Trading Post

Old Jim and me was a standing on the corner of Broadway and Straight Street one afternoon some years back. We seen this old man wearing sandals, and he had big sign hung around his neck for everyone to see. A curious crowd stood in front of him. They were reading every word of the sign on his chest.

The big words at the top of the sign seemed to say it all. The World’s Largest Trading Post!

People were reading out loud with amazement and near unbelief. It was hard for us to hear all the comments, but from time to time we heard things like:

“How can this be?”

“How can they stay in business tradin’ good stuff for junk?”

“There’s gotta be catch somewheres!”

“This is hard to believe!”

Not every passerby took time to read the long list of the day’s specials. Yet there always seemed to be a cluster of potential customers reading every word of the sign.

In answer to someone’s question about the location of the trading post, the old man tried to hold his sign steady with one hand so others could still read as he pointed with his other hand showing the direction. Looking where he pointed, I could see a large crowd moving that way. Almost all of them were carrying bags that sure looked awful heavy.

We waited our turn to get close enough to see the small print. I started reading from the top down, and I read every word.

The World’s Largest Trading Post

Specializing In Even Swaps! No Money Needed!

Today’s Trade Specials

• Beauty – for your ashes.
• Oil of Joy – for your mourning.
• Garment of Praise – for your spirit of heaviness.
• Crown – for your cross.
• New life – for your old life.
• Hope – for your despair.
• Eternal Life – for your sins.
• Peace – for your turmoil.
• Healing – for your sickness.
• Strength – for your weakness.

Please Take Advantage Of Our Free Gifts And Services!

• Broken Hearts Bound Up.
• Sins Forgiven.
• Sins Washed Away in Jesus Name Baptism.
• Free Gift of The Holy Ghost.
• Free Robe of Righteousness.
• Free Garment of Salvation.
• Free Services of the Great Physician.
• Free Services of World’s Greatest Defense Attorney – (He’s never lost a case.)
• Free Services of The Counselor.
• Free Private Audience with the Prince of Peace.

Whatever Your Need, Just Ask!

• Joy Unspeakable – Our shelves are loaded!
• Peace that passeth understanding is always in stock!
• Healing for every broken heart!
• Liberty for all who are bound!

Our Motto: “You Have Not Because You Ask Not!”

We Specialize In Good Tidings for All People!

“What’s your name old man?” Jim asked when he finished reading the sign.

The old man turned his attention to Jim and his weathered and wrinkled face seemed to have an inner shine. With a slight smile on his lips and a bit of a twinkle in his eye he said, “Isaiah”.

I caught Jim’s eye and gave him the nod. We both turned and started in the direction of The World’s Largest Trading Post.

There was this large group of folks just a singing near the entrance. They sang with smiles on their faces and joy seemed to fill their voices as they motioned for us to come inside.

They sang:

The windows of heaven are open.

God’s blessings are falling tonight.

There’s joy, joy, joy in my heart,

Since Jesus made everything right.

I gave Him my old tattered garment.

He gave me a robe of pure white.

I’m feasting on manna from heaven.

And that’s why I’m happy tonight.

Old Jim and me? Well, he looked at me and nodded and I nodded back as he shifted the weight of his bag to the other shoulder. I picked mine own bag up and we both went inside!

References:

Isaiah 61:1-3, 10

Isaiah 9:6

Acts 2:38