Fall 2024

Daily Devotional - Monday August 28, 2017

Blockbuster Trade

“But God demonstrates His own love towards us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” -Romans 5:8

Last week, former Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving was traded to the Celtics for Isaiah Thomas. Boston also sent Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic and Brooklyn’s 1st round pick to The Land. We can argue about who got the better deal all we want. I mean IT4, alone, was a huge get for the Cavs, but that’s besides the point.

Many of my writer friends are discussing/arguing about the results of this trade but you can’t really do that until the season has ended and we can evaluate the trade in its entirety. Everything else is just speculation and opinion. We have to wait and see how it plays out.

I have my personal opinion about it but we can all agree that this trade was a blockbuster. There really wasn’t a clear cut winner on paper. Then my mind changed gears and this trade really got me thinking about lopsided trades in NBA history. There have been quite a few lopsided trades in the NBA (I’m looking at you Sam Presti, getting PG13 to OKC). The biggest lopsided trade in history, BY FAR, has been that of our sins being traded for His righteousness and forgiveness. Our sins traded for His grace and mercy.

This is a trade that no one has to wait until the end of the season to evaluate. It’s a trade that heaven and hell knew was lopsided from the get-go, yet, the GM of the universe pulled the trigger on this trade and sent His only and begotten Son to Earth (John 3:16) so that He may die for all of humanity. Yes, for you and me.

Talk about a blockbuster trade! Whenever you feel like you got the short-end-of-the-stick in life, remember that the GM of the universe traded the greatest thing, the greatest person, for you, while you were still a sinner. Now, that’s saying something.

You are valuable. You are important. You are loved. And we are part of the greatest trade in the history of mankind. So know your worth today and exchange any thoughts of shame and guilt for His grace and mercy.

Richard Salgado