The gospel according to McAlister’s Deli

I saw this basket at the counter of a local deli:

As I stood there waiting to give my order, I was struck by the different messages the basket’s sign communicated to those who passed by.

1) Broken = unloved.

These two words, by their very definition, do not mean the same thing and yet, in our culture, they are words that many will combine into a message that far too many believe.

2) Broken & unloveable = less value.

These cookies are, according to McAlister’s, worth less. But are they?

Last I checked, a whole cookie and a broken cookie are still comprised of the same ingredients and still both taste delicious. They still both serve the purpose for which they were created.

Here’s what I found most interesting…

That day at the counter, while I waited, I peeked.

I peeked into the basket and you’ll never guess what I discovered?

The basket was empty.

Why? 

3) Because there was someone who was willing to purchase what other’s deemed as broken & unloveable. 

Someone thought the worth less cookies were still worth the price.

And if that is not a picture of the gospel, I don’t know what is.

You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” – Romans 5:6,8