The Stolen Bag

All aglow, Jack O'Lantern sat on the top of a fence post. His broad smile showed off his big teeth. He liked watching the children with their different costumes.

Coming toward him was a witch. She had on a tall, peaked hat and a black cape. She was carrying a wooden broom.

The next child he saw was a pirate. He had a patch over one eye. Then there was a goblin, and two white angels. Each child carried a bag full of treats.

"I hope the children are thankful for all the candy and fruit they have been given," Jack said to himself.

Two boys came near him laughing. "That sure was easy!" Jack heard the one carrying two bags say. "That kid tried to hang onto his bag. But I gave one big pull and took it away from him!"

"Yes," said the other boy, "I could hear him crying way down the street."

"I would have taken his sister's bag, too," said the first boy, "If that big guy hadn't crossed the street right then."

Jack O'Lantern could hear their laughter long after they'd gone past him. It made him sad to think that they would treat other children like that. A group of children came toward him who were not wearing any costumes.

"I felt sorry for Danny." It was a girl's voice. "Those boys who stole his bag full of treats sure were mean."

"Yes," responded a boy. "Danny said that the boy who grabbed it already had a full bag."

Another one of the group added, "They would have been much happier if they had been with us at the Anderson's party."

"Do you think either of those boys who stole Danny's bag ever go to Sunday School?" Jack O'Lantern heard a girl ask.

"I'm sure they don't or they wouldn't be stealing candy bags," one of the boys replied.

Another girl said, "They need the Lord Jesus in their lives. Then they wouldn't do mean things like that. Remember what Mr. Anderson said last Sunday in class? Jesus knocks at the door of a person's life waiting to be invited in."

Pete finally spoke up, " Let's invite them to Sunday School next Sunday."

"Yes, let's do that," said an older girl. "And I've got another great idea! Why don't we share our party treats with Danny?"

They thought that was a neat idea. As they ran down the street after Danny and his sister, Jack O'Lantern's eyes sparkled and shone as he watched them go.

Boys and girls, Jesus is standing outside the door of your life. He is knocking to come in. He says in Revelation 3:20, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me."

However, the lock is on the inside! You have to unlock the door. You have to ask Jesus to come into your life.

You can talk to God something like this: "Heavenly Father, I admit that I do wrong things because I am a sinner. Lord Jesus, I thank You for dying for me and offering to me Your gift of eternal life. I invite You into my life as my Saviour and Lord. Thank You for saving me as You promised. Help me to learn how to live for You! Amen.


Note: We do not encourage children to participate in the activities of Halloween.

The Bible text is from The New King James Version Copyright 1983 by Thomas Nelson Inc.