A Train Full of Thieves

Vladimir A. Kotov

Alexander Salov was a new Christian. He had just finished a three-month intensive course at Zaoksky for pastors and was returning home by train. He wanted to use the two-day train trip to talk to the people who were riding with him. He walked up and down the aisle, trying to engage the other passengers in conversation so he could share with them the good news about Jesus. But it seemed that no one wanted to listen to him. Disappointed, he sat down in his seat and prayed that somehow God would make a way for these people to listen to him.

Unexpected Passengers

At the next station, some men boarded the train. As soon as the train began moving, these men locked the doors of the train car and turned toward the people riding with them. "OK, we want your gold, your silver, and your money. Take off any jewelry you are wearing and hold it up so we can collect it." Alexander saw that the men were carrying guns; there was no sense resisting them.

The thieves walked up and down the aisle, holding a cloth bag out for the passengers to drop their valuables in. Most of the passengers were old women and children, some of whom were crying. But when the thieves reached Alexander's seat, they stopped. Alexander was not like the other passengers. His athletic build and general disposition marked him as fearless. Although the thieves did not know it at the time, Alexander had once been a member of the Mafia in Russia.

The thief holding the bag of valuables told Alexander to drop his valuables in. As he did, they saw his watch. "I like your watch," the thief said. "Drop it in, too." Alexander took the watch from his wrist and gave it to the thief. "I like your tie, too," he taunted. Alexander loosened his tie and dropped it into the bag. Then the thief saw his Bible lying on the seat beside him. "I like your book, too." Alexander put his hand on the Bible, but he did not move to pick it up.

Don't Touch It

"Don't touch this book," Alexander said firmly, looking into the covered face of the thief.

"Ho! You are so brave! But remember, we have guns!" the thief told him. "Is a book worth your life?" The commotion caught the attention of the gang leader, who walked over to see what was happening. The other thieves noticed Alexander talking, and they also gathered to listen.

"I am a pastor," Alexander answered gently. "This is not just any book; it is my Bible. I teach people about the living God. I am not afraid of you because I am in God's care. You all are in God's care too."

Some of the thieves taunted Alexander about being a Christian. But his refusal to give them his Bible opened the door for questions. Alexander started telling them stories from the Bible of how God cares for His children, how He protects them in times of trouble. While some mocked him, others listened. The gang leader remained strangely quiet during this time.

Suddenly one of the thieves noticed that the train was slowing down. "Hey, we need to get ready to jump," he told the others. "The train will be pulling into the station in a few minutes, and we have to be ready to jump!" But the gang leader did not move.

"We are not preachers like you," he said. "But we will think about what you have said." As one of the thieves unlocked the door of the train car, the gang leader mumbled something to the others. Then the thieves turned toward the cowering passengers and started down the aisles once more. First one then another thief reached into his pocket. Were they going to kill Alexander? Or perhaps they might kill all the passengers.

Repentant Thieves

But instead of pulling out their guns, the thieves pulled out the watches, jewelry, and money they had just collected from the terrified passengers. As the passengers watched in stunned silence, the thieves emptied their pockets and lay their booty on one of the empty seats. Then as the train came to a stop, the thieves opened the train door and jumped to the ground. Within seconds they disappeared into the night.

None of the other passengers moved from their seats. In a moment the train began to pick up speed once more.

"Why did the thieves not take our things?" someone asked.

"Who are you that the bandits obeyed you?"another questioned.

"That was a pretty brave thing to do, son," said a passenger who was sitting behind him as he patted him on the shoulder.

"What did you tell those thieves?" Another passenger asked who had been sitting too far away to hear.

Alexander quickly realized that the same people who would not listen to his testimony a few hours earlier now were ready to listen. He answered their questions and offered to tell them about Jesus. For the next several hours the people on the train listened attentively as Alexander shared his faith and told the people of God's love and care for them. Some passengers came to him and asked him more personal questions. One person asked about the Second Coming, and another wanted to know where the dead were and why there was so many suffering in the world. With his Bible open, Alexander attempted to answer every question.

By the time Alexander approached his hometown, nearly everyone on the train had a chance to ask their spiritual questions. Several wanted to know more about God, and some had asked for Bible studies. Alexander prayed with those who asked for it and offered words of comfort to those who were still traumatized by the evening's events.

Alexander also saw to it that the possessions the thieves had stolen were returned to their owners. As for Alexander, the precious jewels rescued for God's kingdom were worth far more than anything earthly he possessed.

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Vladimir A. Kotov is Sabbath School and personal ministries director of the Euro-Asia Division.

This story originally appeared in the adult edition of Mission, 3rd quarter 2001, edited by Charlotte Ishkanian. Used by permission.