“I used to believe that I ought to do everything I could to oppose the followers of Jesus of Nazareth. Authorized by the leading priests, I caused many of the believers in Jerusalem to be sent to prison. And I cast my vote against them when they were condemned to death. Many times I had them whipped in the synagogues to try to get them to curse Christ. I was so violently opposed to them that I even hounded them in distant cities of foreign lands” (Acts 26:9-11).
That’s Paul’s confession about his opposition to Christian Jews. He was known then as Saul (“Paul” his Roman name). He was perhaps the fiercest zealot in the great persecution that erupted against the church in Jerusalem (Acts 8:2)—“Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison” (Acts 8:3). Like a rampaging wild beast, he roamed the city hunting Jews who believed in Jesus as Messiah. How many suffered and died at his hand no one knows. He believed he was defending the sanctity of Israel’s God.
How ironic, then, today’s text!
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. As he neared Damascus on his journey, 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?” “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. 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. For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.
In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!” “Yes, Lord,” he answered. 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. In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.” “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem. And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.” But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord– Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here– has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength. Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus (Acts 9:1-19).
Saul was born about 5 A.D. in Tarsus (a city in today’s Turkey) to Jewish parents who possessed coveted Roman citizenship. Apparently about 10 A.D. the family moved to Jerusalem where 10 to 15 years later Saul began his Hebrew Scriptures and Law study under the famous Rabbi Gamaliel.
Now, perhaps in his mid-30’s, the zealous rabbi-to-be, is not content to “purify” Judaism in Jerusalem. He seeks authorization from the high priest Caiaphas to arrest any wayward Jews in Damascus synagogues. Midday he and his fellow-travelers (perhaps a few Jewish guards and others making the 140-mile trip from Jerusalem to Damascus, Syria—travelers journeyed together for safety) are nearing the city. Descending Mount Hermon to the plain on which Damascus lay (an area known for lightning storms), a blinding bolt struck. Whether it was God-timed lightning or a phenomenon directly from God matters little.
Saul falls to the ground, hears a voice identifying himself as Jesus, who orders him to enter the city. There he’ll be given his next command. Saul, unseeing, stumbles to his feet. The feared persecutor has to be led by the hand like a child.
In another, calmer vision, the Lord appears to Ananias and sends him to Judas’ house on Straight street to a man called Saul. Ananias is told Saul himself has seen a vision of Ananias praying that he might see again. Saul’s reputation worries Ananias. But the Lord explains: “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” Ananias obeys. Subsequently, Saul is healed, filled with the Holy Spirit and baptized.
What can we take away from this spectacular conversion?
First, God has a sense of humor. Whom does he choose to take the Gospel to the Gentiles? Jesus’ raging enemy! And he starts the training process by plunging Saul into physical darkness with the glory of his Son, a physical darkness akin to the spiritual darkness in which Saul lived.
Second, God revealed himself in visions. He primarily reveals himself to us today in his written Word. But have you read missionary reports? One can hardly read any without seeing how the Lord revealed himself to someone in a vision. God’s “hands” aren’t tied by “closed countries” or our failed efforts to reach a people for himself.
There are other take-aways, but I think this is the weightiest: No one is beyond the Lord’s saving mercy. The last person anyone thought would be converted was Saul. That’s why the Christians had trouble trusting him (Acts 9:21). The disciples especially didn’t believe it (Acts 9:26).
I shouldn’t assume that, because you’re reading this, you’re a believer in Jesus. And, if you’re not, maybe you’re sure your past is too messed up for him to welcome you. It’s not. If he could save the murderer Saul, he can give you a new, eternal life. Just admit your sin and ask Jesus to be your Lord and Savior.
Finally, since no one is beyond the Lord’s saving mercy, that person you’re praying for isn’t either. We can be encouraged by the Lord converting Saul, that he can convert the most disinterested, hardened disbeliever.
“The voice of the LORD (still) strikes with flashes of lightning” (Psalm 29:7).
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