The Real Deal

TITLE: The Real Deal
DATE:  September 9, 2019
TEXT: Matthew 24:24 – ESV - 24 For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.

A rose is a rose is a rose.

There was a time when I might have said, “Truer words have ever been spoken.” But not now. You see we live in an age and in a time when things aren’t always what they appear. For example, do you know that:

1. The  restaurant chain Del Taco is selling a “Beyond Taco”, that is a taco without meat. The stuff in that Taco is plant based. But del Taco is not alone.
2. Carl’s Junior is selling a product which is named the “Beyond burger.” Why the moniker? Two reasons: they are marketing a product which is  truly beyond beef AND they are ordering their food-fare from a company named Beyond Meat.
3. Burger King, White Castle and Little Caesars also are featuring food which you might expect to be meat, but, in reality, are plant based. Not surprisingly, their products are coming from a company called Impossible Foods.

Impossible Foods are also supplying the fast food company which is experimenting with super-processed pretend food: KFC. They may be the last in this list but they are the first to consider marketing  a chicken substitute.
That’s right, folk. Chicken:

The company, which has its HQ  in Atlanta, are going to use that same audience and try handing out sample “wings and nuggets. And if the samples produced by Impossible Foods, don’t work out... don’t worry. Tyson and Perdue Farms are also doing their best to produce an unchicken.

Who knows... maybe the day will come when somebody will be able to make a fake chicken wing or faux nugget which can’t be distinguished from the real thing.

In the verse at the head of our devotion today the Savior warns His followers that the devil is working hard at making a substitute which he can successfully market to the world. This pseudo-savior will spout all kinds of religious platitudes AND he will be able to produce some first class miracles.

Like the old snake-oil salesman, he will say he can cure all manner of illnesses and problems.

In short he will look and sound so good that much of the world will be glad to follow him. They will encourage friends and family to get on the band wagon while there still is time. The only problem is: he won’t be the real deal.

Scripture is clear: there is only One Mediator between God and humankind. There is only One Who gave His life and carried our sins. There is only One Who has conquered death.  And the devil’s pseudo-savior isn’t it.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord,  it doesn't make much difference if we like real chicken nuggets or a plant-based substitute... but there is a tremendous difference if we think saviors are interchangeable. Keep us focused on the Lamb of God Who takes away the world’s sin. .In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.

The devotion for today was inspired by various recent news articles. For further reading you may wish to go to this address: https://www.newser.com/story/279630/coming-to-kfc-plant-based-chicken.html and the article written by Evann Gastaldo.
The music which introduces and concludes our devotions was written by Guy Baumann. He along with three of his brothers perform on the album: The Baumann Brothers which may be ordered here: http://thebaumannbrothers.com/index.html