Chapter 1 · 1 min read · 2 min listen
The Little Book in the Basket
“It is finished.” — from John 19
When Hudson Taylor was about fifteen, he had a long, empty afternoon with nothing to do. His mother was far away visiting friends. Hudson wandered into his father’s library, looking for something — anything — to read, and out of a little basket of pamphlets he pulled a small Gospel booklet.
“I’ll read the story part,” he thought, “and skip the preachy bit at the end.”
But as he read, some words jumped out at him: “the finished work of Christ.” And into his mind came Jesus’ words from the Cross: “It is finished.” Suddenly Hudson understood. Jesus had already paid for all his sins — completely, once and for all. There was nothing left for Hudson to earn or add. All he had to do was say thank you and accept it.
So right there, alone in a quiet old warehouse where he had gone to read, Hudson knelt down and gave his life to Jesus.
Here is the good news Hudson discovered, and it is for you too: when Jesus said “It is finished,” he meant it. You don’t have to be good enough to earn God’s love. Jesus has already done everything. You just have to receive it, like a gift.
Dear Jesus, thank you that you finished the work of saving me on the Cross. I receive your gift with all my heart. Amen.
Talk about it together
Ask the questions first — then tap one for a note for grown-ups.
What did Hudson find in the little basket in his father’s library?
A small Gospel booklet. He meant to read the story part and skip the “preachy bit” at the end.
Which words from the Cross came into Hudson’s mind, and what did he understand?
“It is finished.” He understood that Jesus had already paid for all his sins, so there was nothing left for him to earn or add.
Talk together: Do you think you have to be good enough for God to love you?
The chapter’s point: you don’t have to earn God’s love. Jesus has already done everything; we just receive it, like a gift.
Chapter 1 complete
The Little Book in the Basket