In 1886, the first Coca Cola® was sold.

The very first Coca Cola® was sold this day at the soda fountain in Jacob’s Pharmacy in Atlanta. Dr. John Pemberton, a pharmacist and Civil War veteran, concocted a fragrant, caramel-colored liquid in a brass kettle in his backyard. Intrigued, he took the liquid down the street to Jacob’s Pharmacy. There the mixture was combined with carbonated water and sampled by several customers. All who tasted it agreed that this new drink was something special. Pemberton’s bookkeeper, Frank Robinson, named the mixture Coca-Cola and wrote out the name in his distinct flowing script—which has become the world’s most recognizable logo.

Over the years, the company has employed numerous slogans in advertising to communicate in a simple, direct way what the brand is all about. The most repeated theme in the 100-plus years of advertising Coke is reflected in the popular campaign of 1969: “It’s the Real Thing.” The idea has been reflected in slogans from “Coke Is It!” (1982), “America’s Real Choice” (1985), “You Can’t Beat the Real Thing,” (1990), and the newest slogan, “Coca-Cola . . . Real” (2003). People are drawn to products that are genuine, authentic, and true.

The same can be said about Jesus. He is the real thing, the real choice. He is it, genuine, authentic, true. Consider what John wrote about him: “This Jesus is both True God and Real Life” (1 John 5:20, The Message). Jesus said about himself, “I am the way and the truth and the life” and he called himself “the true vine” without whom we can do nothing.

So don’t be fooled by the claims of this world that there is a better way or that you don’t need Jesus in your life. Jesus is the real thing. Make Jesus your real choice.

And we know that the Son of God has come, and he has given us understanding so that we can know the true God. And now we are in God because we are in his Son, Jesus Christ. He is the only true God, and he is eternal life (1 John 5:20).

To Do

Come up with your own slogan that reflects what Jesus means to you.

Also on this day . . .

Today is No Socks Day!

1794—The U.S. Post Office was established.

1945—Germany officially surrendered, ending World War II.

From Betsy Schmitt and Dave Veerman, 365 Trivia Twist Devotions: An Almanac of Fun Facts and Spiritual Truth for Every Day of the Year (Cincinnati: Standard, 2005). Scripture quotations are from the New Living Translation unless otherwise noted.