Years ago there were traveling salesmen who sold medicine from town to town. Sometimes they had a horse drawn wagon and several helpers. One of the helpers would sing or play an instrument to gather a crowd. Sometimes the salesman might just be by himself with a suitcase full of tonics and elixirs.
When a crowd gathered the traveling medicine salesman would go into his spiel. He would tell how his product had been discovered and what wonders it had already worked on hundreds of people. He guaranteed that it would cure almost everything: arthritis, rheumatism, coughs, colds, skin blemishes, baldness, tiredness, and almost everything else.
There was always a limited supply and he offered it at a “special” price. People would push forward with their money. And after the salesman made his money he would leave town. The people who bought the special tonic found out that it didn’t work. Eventually laws were passed against that kind of thing and these salesmen could no longer make exaggerated claims. There are still people today who in a more sophisticated way try to sell things making exaggerated claims.
What about Christ? Christ makes many fantastic claims. Once he offered a woman what he called “living water.” Jesus meant by that something spiritual which would satisfy her forever. How can we be sure that Jesus was telling the truth? One thing we can do is look at the person who is making the claim. There were witnesses at the time of Jesus who saw him heal the sick, calm storms, and do other amazing miracles. He even rose from the dead. These are things that show Jesus wasn’t just a person, he was much more. And he did not ask for any money. What he had he was giving away.
We can also see examples of satisfied customers. The thief on the cross was completely satisfied when Jesus said “Today, you will be with me in paradise.” The martyr Stephen was satisfied with Jesus and when Stephen was being killed he said, “Lord, Jesus, receive my spirit.” Simeon was satisfied and said, “Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace.” Paul was satisfied with Jesus and said; “Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness.” And every true Christian today can testify that they are satisfied with what Jesus gives away.
There are two things that we are looking for: 1 - Life that does not end; and 2 - Perfect happiness. Jesus offers both. He rescues you from your sin which destroys life and brings misery. And he offers life in heaven.
There are other things you can pursue in life which also bring pleasure and satisfaction. But they all have one thing in common; the pleasure and satisfaction do not last. And so we are forced to ask ourselves: Why should we waste our time on things that eventually do not satisfy? And why disregard the only thing that will keep us satisfied forever?
We need what Jesus offers. It is not exaggerated. It is what we are all looking for.   
(Pastor Frey is the pastor at Peace of Our Savior Lutheran Church (WELS) www.peaceofoursavior.net )