By Gail Marsh
Jesus Is the Real Treat
Getting Started
You’ll need some Now and Later candy. (This brand of taffy candy is available in most local grocery or drug stores. It may also be found and ordered online.) Have some ready to show the children; have individual pieces ready to distribute to them, too.
Introduction
Do you have a favorite kind of candy treat? This is some of my favorite candy. It’s called Now and Later. I know quite a bit about this special treat. Now and Later candy was first made in 1962. That’s well over 50 years ago! At first, Now and Later taffy was made in just three colors: red, green, and blue. Over the years this candy has changed. It’s been made in a variety of different colors and flavors. Some of the more memorable flavors include CocoBanana-Rasmataz, Green Tingleberry, and Tickle MePinkBerry. Sadly, many of these specialized flavors are no longer available. Today the company that produces Now and Later candy makes just 12 different flavors, but there’s still something for everyone!
I’ve often wondered why this candy treat was given the name Now and Later. It turns out that the original company wrapped each taffy piece individually. Then, six of the individually wrapped pieces were put together inside a bigger candy wrapper. So, when buying a Now and Later candy treat, you’d get several pieces of the yummy taffy. The candy manufacturer’s idea was that customers could enjoy one piece of candy now and also have some left to enjoy later. Now and later . . . get it? I like the idea of having some candy now and later, too. I also like that Now and Later candy is an easy treat to share. I can enjoy a piece myself, and I still have some candy to share with my friends, too!
Getting to the Heart
There is one bad thing about Now and Later candy. And every kind of candy treat, really. Eventually, the candy’s all gone. If I eat some of my candy now and then eat some more later, and then some later still, I soon will have eaten it all! I won’t have any Now and Later candy left to eat. It will all be gone.
Now and Later is good and sweet, and a fun treat while it lasts. But no candy lasts forever. There really isn’t any treat that lasts forever—except . . . the love, forgiveness, and care of Jesus. What a treat that is! Jesus’ powerful love never runs out. How can we know that Jesus’ love will never end? Just listen to what the Bible promises about our Savior in Matthew 28:20: [Jesus said,] “I am with you always.” Unlike Now and Later candy, Jesus is always with you and me. And there’s even more good news! Listen to Hebrews 13:8: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Unlike Now and Later candy flavors, Jesus never changes. He’s always the same. Always loving. Always forgiving. Always powerfully taking good care. Always!
Knowing about Jesus and his love prompts us into action. We want to share what we know about Jesus! Can you think of someone who needs Jesus? That’s right—everyone! Because everyone sins—does or says wrong things; fails to do what’s right—we all need the Savior, Jesus. Our Savior took all of our sins to his cross. He died for our sins, even though he never sinned at all! Now, because of Jesus, we are forgiven, forever! We can also be sure that later—one day—we’ll enjoy eternal life in heaven with our Savior, Jesus!
Jesus has been Lord since the beginning of creation. He’s Lord over all now and will continue to be with us always! Jesus is the real and lasting treat! Now and forever!
Let’s pray together about that. Dear Jesus, remind us of your power and presence now, later, and forever! Give us faith to believe in your Word, trust in your promises, and share the good news about Jesus with those around us each day. In your name we pray. Amen.
Editor’s note: Today’s devotion is adapted from the Ministry Message for the Jesus Is the Real Treat line of children’s products.
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Editor’s note:
