Pastor’s Storybook I-6
Discovery 6
After a good meal at Learner house, he tells Mr. Wise, “Sara wanted me to ask you a question. Something bothers her.”
“With your permission, Learner, I would like to hear Sara herself explain her concern.”
Sara blushes. “You said that Learner needs to be forgiven for some things. But Learner is not a bad person. He does his duties as a father and husband. He is good to his friends. Is not that enough for a person to be right with God?”
“Let
me tell you about The Corrupt Tax Collector.” After telling the
story, Mr. Wise asks questions to see if Learner and his wife Sara
understood.
Please find in Luke 19:1-10 what Learner found:
How did Jesus notice that Zacheus wanted to meet Him?
How did Jesus treat this corrupt tax collector?
How did Zacheus treat Jesus?
Jesus did not condemn the man like others did. What did Zacheus say he would do, in gratitude?
After that, Mr. Wise explains about Zacheus: “Jesus always comes to those who are looking for him. He changes their hearts. We can never be very good people by our own efforts. Some people think they are good, but are too proud to see their own sin. When Jesus comes into our lives, He gives us His goodness. Like Zacheus, we show to him our gratitude by our actions.”
“I still feel puzzled,” Sara says. “What about my religious uncle? The priest gives to him prayers that he repeats prayers many times a day! Does he also need to be saved by Jesus?”
“Yes.
We do not please God by following a set of rules or simply doing
religious duties. Let me tell you about The Priest and the Tax
Collector.”
Please find what Learner and Sara find in Luke 18:9-14:
To what kind of people did Jesus tell this story about the bad tax collector?
What attitude did the religious man in the story have towards God?
What attitude did the tax collector have?
Which man pleased God and became truly good?
Mr. Wise thanks Sara for the good meal. She replies, “Thank you, Mr. Wise, for the Bible story. I understand a lot better now. God forgives even bad people.”
Learner says to Mr. Wise, “Please explain how such a short prayer could make that man good.”
“Only God makes us truly good. When we are honest with Him about our sin and trust Him to forgive us in Jesus’ name, then His Spirit comes to us to make us truly good. We can be very religious like the man in the story, but that alone does not please God. Our repentance and trust are what please Him.”
As Mr. Wise leaves, he tells Learner, “I think Sara is responding to the good news about Christ. I hope you will talk to her about it. If you think she is ready, you can pray with her for forgiveness in Jesus’ name, just as I have prayed with you.”
“I will talk to her tonight. Please come back in the morning if you can.”
