Story of the Day for Thursday May 3, 2012
Aaron the Bus Driver
When we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him by the death of his Son.
Romans 5:10
Chuck Swindoll tells the story of a man he calls Aaron.
Aaron lived in the Chicago area and prayed that the Lord might give him a significant ministry. He wanted to serve in a Christian organization or on a church staff, but nothing turned up.
After weeks of praying and searching, he found nothing, so he resigned himself to finding any job he could, and began driving bus in southside Chicago.
Aaron’s route took him through a dangerous section of the city. Gangs would board the bus and refuse to pay. They would taunt him as well as the other passengers.
This went on for several days. Finally, Aaron spotted a police officer standing at a bus stop. He reported the gang members and the policeman made them all pay their fare.
But then the policeman got off the bus, and the gang members stayed on. After the bus was out of sight of the policeman, they assaulted Aaron.
When Aaron regained consciousness, there was blood all over his shirt. Two teeth were missing, his eyes were swollen, his money was gone, and the bus was empty.
As Aaron recuperated at home from his injuries, his resentment against God began to build. He was willing to serve God in ministry. He prayed for an opportunity to serve, and this is how God thanks him for his willingness and dedication?
On Monday, Aaron pressed charges, and with assistance from the police and eyewitnesses, the gang members were rounded up and arrested.
At the hearing, Aaron walked into the courtroom with his attorney, and the thugs glared at him.
When the gang members pleaded guilty to the charges, however, Aaron stood up and asked for permission to speak. “Your honor, I would like you to total up all the days of punishment against these men . . .” Then he continued, “And I request that you allow me to go to jail in their place.”
The judge was stunned. Both attorneys were stunned. But, most of all, the gang members looked at him with wide-eyed amazement.
The judge ruled him out of order and told Aaron that this sort of thing had never been done before.
“Oh, yes, it has, your honor . . . yes, it has. It happened over nineteen centuries ago when a man from Galilee paid the penalty that all mankind deserved. “
Aaron went on to speak how Jesus died for our sins to bring his love and forgiveness to everyone.
The judge denied Aaron’s request. But Aaron visited his attackers in jail. Most of them became Christians. And, so he began the significant ministry he had prayed for, in the tough neighborhoods of southside Chicago.
(copyright by climbinghigher.org and by Marty Kaarre)
wow!
That was a fast read…I just posted a bit ago!…thanks for your faithful reading. We appreciate it so much!