Tag: persecuting Jesus
“Who are You, Lord?”
Scripture reading for June 4: Acts 22
“”As I was on my way and drew near to Damascus, about noon a great light from heaven suddenly shone around me. And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?’ And I answered, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said to me, ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, Whom you are persecuting.’ Now those who were with me saw the light but did not understand the voice of the One Who was speaking to me. And I said, ‘What shall I do, Lord?’ And the Lord said to me, ‘Rise, and go into Damascus, and there you will be told all that is appointed for you to do.” Acts 22:6-10
Have you ever noticed how many questions there are in Scriptures? By one estimate, there are 183 questions in the Gospels alone. This is because God wants us to think and evaluate the answers so that we might chose to change our minds willingly. In this testimony of Paul, he again recounts his earlier life as a devout Jew who persecuted Christ’s followers. He was on his way to Damascus with arrest warrants for believers there when Jesus revealed Himself to Paul, then called Saul. A light shone around him and a voice asked him a penetrating question. He was addressed by name, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”
Paul (Saul) responded with another question: “Who are You, Lord?” Although Paul knew about Jesus Christ, he did not know Jesus Christ. Jesus wanted personal relationship. This conversation, although heard clearly by Paul, was not understood by those with him. As Paul processed this information, he must have come quickly to the conclusion that his world view of Jesus Christ was in error. His persecution of Christ’s followers was actually a persecution and rejection of Jesus! “What shall I do, Lord?” was the humble request of a heart changed! The result of this bright revelation of Jesus was blindness in Paul, needing to be led by the hand. He obediently followed to Damascus, awaiting instructions.
Have you ever been convinced something was true and found out that it definitely was not? Has a question ever caused you to think more deeply and reflect on your direction? What question would you have for Jesus if He appeared to you?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for desiring personal relationships with each of Your children. It is comforting to know that You ask us questions to help us find truth. Help me, as a teacher of Your Word to ask questions that probe the heart and draw people to Your Word and Jesus. Amen.
Paul’s personal encounter with Jesus.
Scripture reading for February 22nd: Acts 22, Psalm 38, Proverbs 7
Acts 22:6-11 “”As I was on my way and drew near to Damascus, about noon a great light from heaven suddenly shone around me. And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?’ And I answered, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said to me, ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, Whom you are persecuting.’ Now those who were with me saw the light but did not understand the voice of the One Who was speaking to me. And I said ‘What shall I do, Lord?’ And the Lord said to me, ‘Rise, and go into Damascus, and there you will be told all that is appointed for you to do.’ And since I could not see because of the brightness of that light, I was led by the hand by those who were with me, and come into Damascus.”
The fierce Pharisee and persecutor of followers of Jesus was on his own way to Damascus with letters of authority to round up followers of Christ. God knew Paul’s heart and had plans to him. On the road in broad daylight, a great light shone around Paul and he was knocked off his horse to the ground. A voice, the Lord Jesus, spoke a question to him, speaking his name twice for emphasis. Paul responded with a question: “Who are Your, Lord?” Jesus revealed Himself to Paul and told him he was really persecuting Him. Paul’s next question: “What shall I do?” Jesus’ instructions were to go into Damascus and wait for further instructions. Paul was led by the hand because the bright light had left him without sight. God was revealing to Paul the darkness of sin in his life and the path of ‘Light’ in Jesus.
Psalm 38:9-10 “O Lord, all my longing is before You; my sighing is not hidden from You. My heart throbs; my strength fails me, and the light of my eyes–it also has gone from me.”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for Your patience with those who are sincerely misguided and under the control of darkness. Use me to help people in that state to find answers to “Who are You, Lord?” and “What shall I do?” Thank You for revealing Your Son’s identity, Jesus the Christ, to me and calling me to follow Jesus and shepherd Your people under Your master leadership. Let Your light shine brightly in me.
Proverbs 7:1 “My son, keep my words and treasure up my commandments with you; . . “
Saul’s life-changing encounter!
Scripture reading for November 8th: Acts 8-9
In today’s reading we have the account of the conversion of one of the most influential people in the early days of the church. 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) An encounter with Jesus is what Saul needed to radically change his world-view!
“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 must do.” Acts 9:1-6
Saul had been hunting down disciples and as he traveled on a mission to Damascus, the Lord met him personally. The light of glory threw Saul to the ground and blinded him. Jesus asked him a simple question. The question reveals that when anyone persecutes one of Jesus’ followers, He feels it personally! Saul was also addressed by first name. Jesus knows each person by name and knows where they are and what they are doing.
Thankfully, Saul repented during the period of blindness that lasted 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!
Saul’s “Jesus Encounter”
Scripture reading for November 9th: Acts 8-9
In today’s reading we have the account of the conversion of one of the most influential people in the early days of the church. 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) An encounter with Jesus is what Saul needed to radically change his world-view!
“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, the Lord met him personally. The light of glory threw Saul to the ground and blinded him. Jesus asked him a simple question. The question reveals that when anyone persecutes one of Jesus’ followers, He feels it personally! Saul was also addressed by first name. Jesus knows each person by name and knows where they are and what they are doing. He has plans for those who will be teachable and repent.
Thankfully, Saul repented during the period of blindness that lasted 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!
This man’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 13 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 testimony! What amazing love and grace is found in our Lord!