1 Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. 3 As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”
5 “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. 6 “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”
7 The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. 8 Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. 9 For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.
10 In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!”
“Yes, Lord,” he answered.
11 The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.”
13 “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. 14 And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.”
15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel.
Reflection
Paul, formerly known as Saul, persecuted early Christians. And he was very good at it.
We’re first introduced to Saul in Acts 7:58. He was a young man and was giving his approval for the first martyr, Stephen, who was stoned to death. Those who stoned him laid their coats at the feet of Saul.
Can you image how Saul and the others felt when, instead of hearing cries of anguish and shouts of retribution, Stephen first prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” And, as he fell on his knees his last words were, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And then he fell asleep.
After persecuting the Christians in Jerusalem Saul wanted to expand his territory. In the beginning of Acts 9:1-2 we read, “Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem.”
But God had other plans for Saul. As he neared Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”
Saul’s world was rocked. And then some. Saul’s men saw the flash of light, but they didn’t hear the voice Saul heard.
Saul replied, “Who are you, Lord?” Can you imagine Saul’s response when Jesus told him, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.”
In Acts 9:10 and following, we find a Christian named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, and told him about Saul, and that Ananias would restore his sight.
Ananias said he had heard many reports about Saul and the harm he has done to Christians in Jerusalem. Like God didn’t already know that.
Instead, Jesus said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel.
From persecutor to proclaimer. And a great proclaimer he was.
by Rick Reed
For Pondering and Prayer
Are you a proclaimer? All Christians should be but often fear gets in the way. We need to ask for God’s help to advance the Kingdom of God.
Prayer: : Lord, help me to be a proclaimer. Help me not to be afraid. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
