Road to Damascus

Conversion

The amazing thing is that no one knows that they need changed until they change. My father told me a while ago that you don’t know how bad you feel until you feel better. Recently I have struggled with heart issues. My father was talking about his heart issues that started for him at age 57. In this passage Paul was a servant of the Lord, at least for the Jews who claimed to be servants of the Father. 9 But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 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.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Ac 9:1–2. The disciples of the Lord were people who worshipped with a group of people that followed the Way. So, was Paul wrong to ask for these letters ? It really depends on your point of view. As a strong passionate man of God Paul’s passion was not a bad thing just a little off. I like to play golf when I have time, but I often times hit the ball in the wrong direction. A good friend of mine would often tell me as we played golf, it seems that your towards is off.

What does God do when our towards is off? 3 Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. 4 And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?”

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Ac 9:3–4. Now I am a believer in the idea that God still works in these methods but that they are often not as pronounced events as what happened to Paul. God still gives us hints if we are paying attention. Think for a minute, have you recently had to pick yourself up and make an adjustment, or did you just get up and try again. The acknowledgment that Paul makes, or Saul is that this is someone who masters over or above him. 5 And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Ac 9:5.

When God offers to get the attention of His people it is important to note that it was for Saul even though others heard the voice. 6 But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” 7 The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Ac 9:6–7. It is important to notice that Saul had to work through this situation. He may have understood that something had happened and it could have been a curse, or he could pay close attention to what he should do. Are you paying attention?

Now, I have had this conversation with a few of you already so think again about this portion of the passage. 10 Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” 11 And the Lord said to him, “Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying, 12 and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.”

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Ac 9:10–12. God uses others that are willing to do His work. Ananias was the man who God called upon to do this. Notice the detail of the vision that Ananias gets. Saul is praying. The issue is usually one of human nature. Listen to Ananias, 13 But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem. 14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.”

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Ac 9:13–14. Why is this a human nature thing? Because we do not trust the vision when it goes against our human understanding, what we see with our own eyes. 15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. 16 For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” 17 So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Ac 9:15–17. See, what we know is not the same as what He knows. We see the trouble, God sees the solution. 18 And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized; 19 and taking food, he was strengthened.

Saul Proclaims Jesus in Synagogues

For some days he was with the disciples at Damascus. 20 And immediately he proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.”

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Ac 9:18–20.