Tag: wait for instructions
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.