and raised us up with Him and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” (Ephesians 2:5–6)

There was a beggar at a railway station who had been begging for a long time. People gave him alms each day. One day, he approached a well-dressed businessman for alms. The businessman asked him whether he had ever given anything to anybody. The beggar replied, “No.” Then the businessman said, “If you have never given anything, you have no right to ask for anything in return.”

The beggar walked away in great sadness and began to think. He realized that in order to receive, he must first give. While staring at the platform, he noticed wildflowers growing beside the railway track. He plucked them and returned to the platform. This time, when people gave him money, he gave them a flower in return. To his surprise, this brought smiles and joy to those who gave. People began to give more cheerfully, and he received more than before.

There was now an exchange—of joy, happiness, and even respect. After a few months, he met the businessman again. This time, when he asked for alms with flowers in his hand, the businessman smiled and gave him a large sum of money in exchange for the flowers. The beggar went back, not only with more money but with joy in his heart.

Many years later, he returned to the same railway station—no longer to beg, but to board a train. He was now well dressed. As he sat down, he happened to meet the same businessman. The businessman looked at him and asked, “Do I know you?” The former beggar replied, “Yes, I am the one you once spoke to about the greatness of exchange.” He went on to explain how he had started a flower business a few years ago, and now he was heading to a meeting to expand it. The businessman smiled and greeted him with joy and respect—not as a beggar this time, but as a fellow businessman.

The Bible reminds us of the greatest exchange:

“Even when we were dead in our trespasses, [God] made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—and raised us up with Him and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” (Ephesians 2:5–6)

While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. A great exchange took place upon the cross—Christ offered Himself for our sins so that we could be set free from the consequences of sin, which bring death. Not only physical death, but also grave-like situations such as fear, absence of peace, sickness, shame, and guilt. In exchange, Jesus offers joy, peace, and healing.

Today, there is an open invitation: give your heart, your circumstances, and your sicknesses to Him, and receive your portion from the exchange that was accomplished on the cross.

Remember—whatever you need, God invites you to give in exchange. If you want love, give love. If you desire respect, give respect. If you long to be treated kindly, then treat others kindly. And if you seek blessings, be a blessing to others.

Just as the beggar was lifted to sit as an equal with the businessman, the Word of God declares that the grace of God will make us sit with Christ in heavenly places.

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the great exchange and for offering us the chance to partake in it through the cross. Today, give us the grace to offer our circumstances, situations, and sicknesses in exchange for Your joy, peace, and healing. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.