Ive driven by the Great American Pawn Shop for years but have never gone in. I had some time and felt adventurous today so I ventured in and said hello to Betty, the owner’s wife. I smiled and asked how she was doing. I was sincere. Apparently that threw her because she choked on her burrito.
“Fine thank you.”
I was fascinated browsing the aisles. The cliché “one mans junk is another mans treasure” was taking shape before me. Rows of tools, video games, clothes, fitness equipment, lawn tools, and guns…lots and lots of guns. But what really captured my attention were the cases full of diamond rings, pearls, and gold chains. Every one of them had a story.
Betty was finished with her burrito so I asked her if she ever gets tired of hearing the stories that people bring with each item that they want to pawn off? “I stopped listening and caring years ago”, she said. “I just take it, give them their cash, a redemption ticket, and watch them walk out.” I commented on the memories represented by each of the items in the jewelry case. She said, “people want the money, not the memories.” wow.
I looked around at each item in the store. People gave up a personal item of value in exchange for money. In return they receive a redemption ticket. Betty now owns that item. If they return the ticket they can redeem or buy back the item.
Redeem: (re’di:m) verb. To recover possession or ownership of by payment of a price or service. To regain.
Sin owns us. The cost of redeeming us is our life, our death. The Father gave His Son as redemption for us. Fair exchange? I dont think so, but God does and makes it quite clear in His word…Romans 3:24-25 Eph. 1:7, 8 Col. 1:13, 14 Heb. 9:14, 15
Thanks Betty for the gospel message this afternoon. Now you can finish your burrito.
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