Read: Luke 19:1-10; Romans 3:23-24

“Hey buddy, what’s wrong?” Dad asked when it was time for Nolan’s bedtime prayers.

“It’s Grandpa,” said Nolan. “He doesn’t believe in Jesus. That means he’s not going to heaven.”

“He needs to have a relationship with Jesus,” said Dad. “Shall we pray for him?” Nolan nodded, and he and his dad prayed for Nolan’s grandfather.

The next morning Dad took Nolan and his sister on a walk in the woods. As they went along, colorful leaves rustled under their feet. “A lot of leaves are still falling,” said Nolan. “They’re gonna get trampled on.” He grinned at his sister. “I bet I can catch more before they hit the ground than you can.”

“You’re on!” said Liliana. So as they walked, they tried to catch every falling leaf.

“Okay, let’s count them,” Nolan said as they headed back home.

“All right.” A few moments later, Liliana grinned. “I’ve got seventeen!”

“So do I!” said Nolan. “We rescued a bunch of them, didn’t we?”

Dad smiled. “I’m glad you were able to rescue those fallen leaves. It reminds me of what Jesus does—He rescues fallen people.”

“Fallen people?” asked Liliana. “I know Jesus found Zacchaeus in a tree, but he didn’t fall from it.”

“No, but he was fallen in other ways. Zacchaeus was a lost sinner, but Jesus saved him and changed him. All people are fallen sinners—we all fall short of God’s perfect standards by doing wrong things, so Jesus came to rescue us. And He wants those of us He’s already saved to help bring others to Him so they can be rescued too.”

“People like Grandpa,” said Nolan. “I know Jesus can save him, but Grandpa’s already pretty old. We pray for him a lot, but what else can we do to help bring him to Jesus?”

Liliana looked at the leaves in her hand. “Let’s press these leaves and put them in different places around the house. We can pray for Grandpa every time we see one of them.”

“Okay,” said Nolan. “We could also invite him to the program at church next week.”

“And help him rake his yard!” said Liliana.

Dad nodded. “Those are good ways to help him know how much Jesus loves him—and how much we love him too.”

–Steve Hulet

How about you?

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