Train to Salvation

"Hello to all, I am going to tell you all today about a very important thing in my life, Jesus Christ." A passionate young black man stated with his Bible in hand. He walked up and down the train, preaching about his life, how he used to be in a gang, but now that he is a Christian, he is simply a "Holy Ghost Gangsta." He spoke as if he were in church, a perfectly planned but still Spirit led sermon, on the El.

"Now some people, they say Obama is going to be president," he held his hands high, "and God willing I hope he is!!!"

I hear a faint amen in the background.

"Then they say he will be assassinated, and there will be a huge war on racism. But you know what I say?!" He looks around for a response from his audience, not disappointed at the lack of interest. " I say racism is still alive! But not for me. I don't hate blacks, I don't hate whites. OHHH no. I hate the DEVIL." And on began his 5 minute segment on the power of evil in this world, and how Jesus has already won.

Every word seemed to be a breath of scipture. He knew what he was talking about. He ended with a prayer over all of us, asking God to have mercy on us, for the salvation of our souls. This man had some guts, and I'll admit, I kind of admired him.

"God Bless you sir." An Arabic woman humbly commented. " I was saved by Jesus Christ in 1996. There is nothing more important in your life than to know Jesus. " And on she went with her testimony, and into the gospel, "Going to church, Being a moral person, none of this...nothing will get you to heaven, except belief in Jesus Christ! If you don't know Jesus, you are going to hell."

Bold. Authentic. Reality. (Me being nervous.)

It was so beautiful, to see one bold man, taking the word to the streets, or in this case train, and out of it came the encouraged woman who shared her testimony. It was so real, I felt the presence of the Holy Spirit live and active in that ride, and I know that others did as well... even if they weren't able to pin-point the feeling.

And I thought about good ole Simeon and Anna in the temple. (Luke ch.3)

Simeon was a righteous old dude, who probably seemed a little crazy. He walked around procaliming he would not die until he had seen the Lord's Christ. Moved by the spirit he walks into the temple where Baby Jesus is for his parent's to offer His sacrifice. And Simeon says,
"Soverign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, A light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Isreal."

What?! Everyone probably thought he was crazy. He even walked up to Mary and Joseph and blessed Jesus. Crazy old man.

And there was Anna, who was a very old widow, she lost her husband years ago and has not left the temple since, worshiping night and day, fasting and praying. AKA crazy old woman who never left the temple... had no where to go... and was terribly skinny. She also walked up to Mary and Joseph, and gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the Messiah. She went, and ran around the temple, claiming this baby was the Messiah.

Would you believe her?! I don't know if I would...

But God used these unlikely characters, to speak through them. Luke tells us the Holy Spirit was upon them! Noone else noticed Jesus as the Son of God that day in the temple. Not the Rabbis, not the main religous people... just crazy old Simeon and Anna.

As the El was approaching my stop, I grew more and more fond of these two unlikely characters being used by God. Some might doubt their validity... train preachers, I don't know...but I say, check out the gospels... God used some wacky people to tell of his business. Why wouldn't He still?

And I got off the train, feeling more blessed than ever... phoning my friends to share the great story of Salvation I had heard on my way to work...