Don’t Miss the Bus

While I was a student, I used to drive the InterCape buses, spending many nights on the road. One holiday I even drove as much as 43 000km. With a bus. At night. But I enjoyed doing it and the R50 a day that I earned was a lot of money for a student.

One night I was a bit behind schedule. As I drove past Albertinia, I just gave a quick glance at the stop to see if there was a car waiting. When I didn’t see anything, I drove straight past. When I arrived in Mossel Bay, a car stopped right behind the bus. A big man got out and came storming at me.

But before he could say or do anything to me, there was a glimpse of recognition. We realised it was a school friend’s brother who had come to drop his father in Albertinia.

He stammered: “Eish, but you can drive a bus! I’ve been trying to catch up with you since Albertinia… “

Every time we see each other, we joke about the time their dad nearly missed the bus.

But talking about missing the bus, some people may miss another kind of bus…

27-28Everyone has to die once, then face the consequences. Christ’s death was also a one-time event, but it was a sacrifice that took care of sins forever. And so, when he next appears, the outcome for those eager to greet him is, precisely, salvation.

Many people look forward to Jesus’ coming. Many can’t wait for Him to return. Many can’t bear to be on earth anymore, because the pain is too much. And that’s why they keep praying that Jesus should come quickly.

They are waiting for the Jesus bus.

But others laugh it off. They believe that the world will exist forever. They’re not waiting for Jesus.

They are surely going to miss the bus.

In which group are you?

This reminds me of another story about a bus.

A little boy is standing at the corner waiting for the bus. A man walks past and asks the little boy why he is standing there. The boy says that he is waiting for the bus. The man tells the boy that he should go to the next corner, because that is where the bus stops.

The little boy says that the bus will definitely stop where he is waiting. No, says the man, the bus stops at the next corner. When the little boy says again that the bus will be stopping at the corner where he is waiting, the man asks how he could be so sure.

And the boy answers: “Because my dad is the bus driver!”

When Jesus’ bus comes, He will stop wherever His heavenly Father’s children are waiting, but will drive past the strangers…

Scripture

Hebrews 9:23-28

Reflection

Are you ready for the bus?

Are all those around you ready for the bus?

What do you have to do?

Prayer

Father, sometimes I wonder whether the bus will stop for me. But I shouldn’t doubt, because I know I’m Your child, and that’s why Jesus will stop for me. Please help me help others to be picked up too. Amen.