APRIL 11, 2 Peter 3:9

Kenny put his elbows on the table and rested his chin on his hands. “If God loves everybody so much, how can He send people to Hell?” he asked sadly.

“That’s a very good question,” replied his Sunday school teacher, Mrs Tan. “I think a true story from Bangladesh will help you understand.” Mrs Tan lived in Bangladesh for 2 years as her husband was posted to work there for that period.

“I had two young friends in Bangladesh named Reuben and Milo,” continued Mrs. Tan. “They were dirty and poor and had hardly anything at all. One day I took them to the store with me. As soon as we walked in, the store manager started chasing Reuben and Milo out. He didn’t want dirty street kids and beggars in his store. He even hit them in his effort to get them out.”

The children in the class sat up straighter. “What did you do?” asked one. “I told the manager to stop,” said Mrs. Tan. “I said the boys were with me. The manager wanted me to stay-he knew I’d buy things. So, since they were with me, he stopped ordering them to leave.The boys had very different reactions. Milo was happy. He stayed by me and enjoyed being in the store. But Reuben ran outside. I called to him and told him he could come in and would be safe with me. But he kept looking at the manager and shaking his head. He wouldn’t believe me-he wouldn’t come in.”

“What does this story have to do with God sending people to Hell?” asked Kenny when Mrs.Tan finished the story.“I made a way for Reuben to come in, but he wouldn’t,” replied Mrs. Tan. “God made a way for everyone to go to Heaven, but some people refuse to come to Him.”

Kenny nodded. “So Milo is like the people who believe in Jesus, and Reuben is like the ones who don’t,” he said. “Yes,” Mrs. Tan replied. “I was so happy Milo came in, and so sad that Reuben wouldn’t. I think God feels the same way about people accepting or refusing His invitation to Heaven.”

Thought: Are you like Milo or Reuben?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to accept the Lord Jesus Christ as my personal Lord and Saviour. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.