Life (6): Who wants their tab paid?

You’re out with your best mate – you both order a beer and something to eat. The night draws to a close and your mate realises that he or she doesn’t have any money left – what do you do? Do you (A) tell him to get in the kitchen and start cleaning, (B) Run, or (C) Pay the bill for him?

Without a doubt, one of the most Aussie things to do is pick up someone else’s bill at the pub or restaurant. I have 9 years of pub attendance experience, 4 months in England and absolutely picking up the bill sets us apart as a bill paying nation. Think about, you’re out with your mates and family at a nice restaurant and everyone is having a great time reminiscing about the third test. Each person orders a delicious meal, a few drinks and a dessert. The night draws to an end, and rather than splitting the bill, your buddy stands up and says, “This ones on me, I’ve got this one”. It’s awesome when someone does that hey? Real Aussie blokes aren’t about hugs and kisses, pinches on the butt, or even back waxes and hair styles, but rather, us Aussie men are about picking up someone else’s bill!

Christians believe that the bible is about God who created the universe to be in relationship with him. It explains that we have all rebelled against him and do our own thing rather then what he wants. When we do things like lie, cheat, steal, not do something we should do or do the right thing out of the wrong motive we work up a bill, which we owe to God. The bible says that the payment for our bill is death and eternal separation from God.

What we need is someone to come and pay our bill for us. That’s right, we need a real Aussie bloke. So, God came to earth 2000 years ago – you might know him – his name was Jesus. His mission was to pay our bill. That’s right; Jesus was a good Aussie bill paying bloke! He didn’t have long flowing hair and a nice waxed back; he was a bloke! The bible says that Jesus lived a perfect life – he never rebelled against his Father. He was arrested, tortured and eventually, crucified – basically they executed him. Three days later Jesus was resurrected and he is now reigning in heaven as the king. The bible says that whoever believes in Jesus death and resurrection will have eternal life – because Jesus has paid the bill for those who trust him. When you let him into your life, he starts working things out and fixing you up so you can live for the King. Christians aren’t claiming to be really good people who get to go to heaven because we are good, but we are people who have had our bills paid for by Jesus.

For our sake God made Jesus to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become part of God’s family (2 Corinthians 5:21)

So, if you sit there now with your bill starring you in the face, why not give it to Jesus to pay.