Heinekens and Jesus

 “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ, our Lord.” —Romans 6:23

Those last five words are important: “in Jesus Christ, our Lord.” Yesterday we learned that we cannot earn eternal life; the cost is more than we can afford. It’s only available as a gift. But the gift comes in the form of Jesus Christ. 

Let me tell you a true story. Years ago, I was flying to Florida to spend some time with my parents who were living there at the time. I had boarded the plane and was waiting for the other passengers to get settled when a man came swaggering down the aisle. He was stocky, shirt opened halfway to his navel, gold chains around his neck, and swearing a blue streak. Wouldn’t you know it—he sat down beside me; Frankie Gallo was his name.

He was mad because he had lost his phone in the airport bar; it had all his contacts in it, and he needed them. He was a professional drummer; had played with Blood, Sweat, and Tears, but was down on his luck. He kept cursing until he asked what I did for a living. When I told him, he apologized and began asking me questions about God. He was desperate.

He had had enough to drink already, but ordered two Heinekens as we got underway. In short order, one of them was empty. I had already told him about receiving Jesus to receive eternal life, but he couldn’t understand.

I set the unopened Heinekens in front of him. “Frankie, if you want this beer, you have to take the can it’s in. You can’t have the beer without taking the can. In the same way, if you want eternal life, you have to take the container it’s in, and that container is Jesus.”

He understood, and right there, he prayed for Jesus to forgive his sins and come into his heart. It was the most amazing experience I’ve ever had. And from that day to this, I’ve never compared Jesus to a Heinekens or any other beer, for that matter. But it’s true: If you want eternal life, you have to take the package it comes in. That package is Jesus Christ. Eternal life is in Jesus Christ, our Lord.