Tag: Acts 9:1-6
Saul saw the Light!
Scripture reading for May 16: Acts 9
“But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. And falling to the ground he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And He said, “I am Jesus, Whom you are persecuting. But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.”” Acts 9:1-6
Saul, a Pharisee, was seeking to strictly follow the Law and traditions of his people, the Jews. He had considered Jesus an impostor and was seeking to stop those who were following Jesus from preaching His resurrection and gaining converts. Saul was angry at those whom he considered ignorant and subversive of true Judaism. He obtained a legal warrant from the high priest to go to Damascus where he knew he would find more followers of Jesus. As he was on his way, suddenly a light shone around him and he fell to the ground. A voice spoke to Saul, asking him by name why he was persecuting Him.
Saul’s response to this sudden event and the voice, was to ask who it was that was speaking to him. Jesus answered, stating His Name and telling Saul that He was the One being persecuted. Saul was after Jesus’ followers, but Jesus considered that attack on them as if Saul had attacked Him! This revelation literally blinded Saul. He was told by Jesus to rise and enter the city of Damascus and await instructions. His traveling companions assisted him to obey, leading him by his hand. This was the beginning of Saul’s regaining his ‘sight’ and a new world view based on the ‘truth’!
Have you ever held a world view that you strongly believed in, only to find yourself dramatically wrong? What kind of thoughts do you think Saul had when Jesus confronted him? Do you think he resisted making changes before this time? How was Saul’s loss of sight and regaining sight helpful to us?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for Your great patience and mercy with each person. Thank You for caring enough to personally intervene in lives that are tragically on the wrong path. Use my life and testimony, like Saul of old, to share with others still living in darkness and persecuting Jesus. Amen.
Blinded so he might see Jesus!
Scripture reading for November 7: Acts 8-9
The first 11 chapters of Acts are primarily centered around the life of Peter and his ministry to the Jews around Jerusalem. Chapter 9 gives the account of Saul, a zealous Pharisee, who was a persecutor of the early church and was bent on protecting Judaism and eliminating disciples of Jesus. He is spoken of first as one who gave approval of those who stoned Stephen. (Acts 8:1)
“Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest and asked 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. So get up and go into the city and you will be told what you what you must do.” Acts 9:1-6
Saul had been hunting down disciples, having them arrested and in some cases put to death. As he traveled on a mission to Damascus, Jesus met him personally. The light of His glory threw Saul to the ground and blinded him. Jesus asked him a simple question, revealing that when anyone persecutes one of Jesus’ followers, He feels it personally! Saul was addressed by first name. Jesus knows each person by name and knows all about who they are. He has plans for those who will be teachable and repent.
Thankfully, Saul repented during the period of blindness lasting three days. God sent a disciple named Ananias to lay hands on Saul to receive his sight back. Ananias was initially afraid of Saul because of his reputation, but God revealed that Saul was His chosen instrument to reach the Gentiles. (Acts 9:15-16) After he was healed and baptized, Saul began to preach the Gospel in the very synagogues that he had come initially to hunt Christians in! What a difference an encounter with Jesus makes!
Paul’s ministry is the subject of Acts 12-28, and he tells his testimony of this ‘Jesus encounter’ several times. Saul became the Apostle Paul who would be a great missionary to the Gentiles and write thirteen New Testament books. His “Jesus encounter” is still being talked and written about over 1900 years later! Many other “sinners” have found Christ through his amazing life-altering encounter with Jesus!
Who are You, Lord?
Scripture reading for April 16th: Acts 9
Key Scriptures: Acts 9:1-6 “But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. And falling to the ground he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” And He said, “I am Jesus, Whom you are persecuting. But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.””
Luke was a Gentile doctor and traveling companion of Paul after he was converted. He gives us this record of Paul’s conversion, probably directly from the source. Paul was a zealous Jew and Pharisee who thought he was doing God’s work to root out false teachers who claimed Jesus was the Christ. He held the coats of those who stoned Stephen and gave approval. He obtained papers to go to Damascus and round up more “Christ followers” when his plans were interrupted by a visit from Jesus, Himself. He was knocked down and blinded by a bright light from heaven and a voice asked him why he was persecuting Him. Saul (Paul) replied, “Who are You, Lord?” He was ignorant of the basic truth needed to repent. Jesus revealed Himself to Paul and instructed him in the next steps of a new life with a new purpose.
Acts 9:15-16 “But the Lord said to him (Ananias), “Go, for he (Saul) 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.”
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for revealing Yourself to me and all who follow You. You are the Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God and my Lord. As Your chosen instrument, send me today to those You have ordained to reach with the Gospel.
Jeremiah 1:4-5 “Now the Word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.””