Focus
Let yourself become open to God and the knowledge that comes from the Word. Ask God for peace at this time.
Read
Acts 9:1-19 (ESV)
1But 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. 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?” 5 And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 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. 8 Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus.9 And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.
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.” 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.” 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.” 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. For some days he was with the disciples at Damascus.
Reflect
The Scandal of Saul/Paul/Us
Saul/Paul is personified scandal. He is a mystery. He is a conundrum. Why? Because his entire life is lived in the arena of faith. Prior to his conversion, Saul/Paul was a man of faith. He was a man who valued God’s Word and sought to protect it and keep it faithfully. He was a man who was filled with fervor and conviction. His acted as he did because he believed his actions to be actions that demonstrated true devotion and faithfulness to the Living God.
But Saul/Paul was wrong. Not in his conviction of God’s Word, nor in his conviction that he must serve the Living God. He was wrong in what those convictions led him into. Saul/Paul in his attempt to live a life of faithful and obedience left a trail of destruction and death. When Christians heard he was coming their way, fear and anxiety took over. The first scandal that Saul/Paul personifies is one of how he discerned and then responded to what he perceived to be God’s call. It was living as a persecutor.
Yet, Saul/Paul wasn’t to forever be known for that first scandal. The ultimate scandal that Saul/Paul embodied was how Jesus discerned and called him into the light and the subsequent mission of Christ he took up. On the road to Damascus, Saul/Paul encountered the Living God, the one whom he thought he was serving, yet instead was persecuting. And Saul/Paul after that encounter was forever changed. He was once a persecutor but was about to become part of the community of the persecuted. He was once one who championed the strict adherence to the Law (according to his own interpretation) but was soon to be a champion of the Spirit and grace (according to Christ’s revelation). Saul/Paul became a walking, talking example of transformation. Were there people who knew the young Pharisee Saul/Paul who probably doubted his conversion? Probably. Were there people who were amazed that Saul/Paul became what he once despised? No doubt. Were there people who were relieved and yet others who were changed eternally because of this walking scandal? Verifiably and absolutely.
This is an important lesson for us during the Easter season. Just as Saul/Paul is a walking scandal, all Christians are walking scandals. Who we were prior to knowing Jesus is not who we are now after experiencing Jesus. Are there people who doubt us? Are there people who think it is impossible that we have changed? Are there people who are encouraged, relieved, and eternally changed by us? The answer to those questions is an emphatic YES! And it is not our doing. It is the work of God. It is the grace of God. It is the plan of God.
Regardless of what your Saul/Paul journey has been, rejoice in knowing God has made you who you are today and the things that you regret in your pre-Christian life (and yes, even the things your regret in your after-meeting-Jesus life) are just aspects of your life that should help you know and love others. They should be signposts in your life that make you aware of just how big the grace of God is. Ultimately, they should be reminders that show us that with God all things are possible.
Pray
God, thank you for setting us on a new path. Keep us ever moving forward, but when we fall back, gently correct us. Amen
Go with God!
Leave a Reply
Your email is safe with us.