A Transforming Vision

Acts 9:3  

"And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: 

and suddenly there shined round 

about him a light from heaven:" 

   The first targets of Saul's attacks were evidently the Christians of Jerusalem like Stephen and many others including the evangelist Philip which was also one of the seven. Saul begin to reach beyond the city to attack Christians in regions outside Judea. Saul traveled with letters from the high priest in Jerusalem to give to the synagogues at Damascus. There was no legal authority outside of Judea, his word could certainly affect how the synagogues would cooperate with Saul in his opposition to the new faith.

    Some years after Jesus' crucifixion, Saul was on his way to Damascus with the letters from the priest in hand. God chose that moment to reverse his life. Saul was nearing Damascus when a brilliant light from heaven surrounded him. A voice addressed him using his Hebrew name, "And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?" (Acts 9:4). Saul might have hoped  for such a vision to approve his work for God, but he was dumbfounded when the voice accused him of persecution. He could only ask , "Who are you Lord?" The next words Saul heard crushed his world and transformed his future. The voice answered, "I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks," (Acts 9:5). 

   Impossible! Jesus had been crucified. He could not be the Messiah, much less be speaking to him in a vision from heaven. But Saul was himself experiencing that vision, and he could not deny it. The experience was so vivid that Saul simply knew that this was indeed a "heavenly vision" from the very God whom he had radically misunderstood. For Saul the impossible had become real. The dazzling light had blinded Saul, perhaps to teach him the blindness of the violent persecution he had instigated. But with his companions Saul continued to Damascus, were he spent three days praying in the darkness, fasting, cut off from the past, not knowing what the future held. Part 2 tomorrow.  

Amen!

Reading: Acts 9:1-9

Ref: HG SB

May God Bless You

And Your Family

Minister  Robert A. Lail Sr.

The Cross Life Ministry