Saul of Tarsus part 2
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Acts 9 (ESV)
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.” The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. 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. And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank. 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.” 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, 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.” But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem. And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.” 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. For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” 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.” And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized; and taking food, he was strengthened. For some days he was with the disciples at Damascus. And immediately he proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.” And all who heard him were amazed and said, “Is not this the man who made havoc in Jerusalem of those who called upon this name?
Last week we looked at Saul of Tarsus and how he lived before his encounter on the road to Damascus. Today we will talk about his experience.
We know, from last week, the kind of man Saul was. He was a man on a mission, a murderous mission.
He was on his way to arrest believers and bring them back to Jerusalem. Now we're caught up, that's what we know from last week.
These 2 cities weren’t close to each other, it wasn't like driving from here to Jonesboro. Imagine walking from here to Knoxville arrest as many people as you could and then bring them back here to be tried. This man was serious about what he was doing.
As he traveled this road, the Lord Jesus appeared to him in a bright light and Saul immediately recognized Him.
Last week, we left off with this challenge "Lord, what do you want me to do today?" I hope we've all spent this past week with that question on our hearts and minds.
This morning, I want to focus on Saul's conversion. Specifically, on how Jesus engaged, impacted and changed this man.
Jesus appeared to Saul as he walked on the road to Damascus. Even though there were others with Saul to help with his mission, Jesus appeared to Saul. The other men saw a great light but saw no man. They heard a sound but Jesus spoke personally to Saul.
Is He speaking to you this morning? Even though you're sitting here with other people around you, is He speaking to you? That’s how God operates usually, one on one.
Remember Moses and the burning bush? God spoke to Moses out of a burning bush with a still, small voice. He engages the one so the one can engage the many. It is clear that Jesus impacted Saul because Saul ended up on the ground. Verse 6 tells us that he was trembling and astonished and then Jesus tells him to get up. That sounds good when we read it but I want us to get the full effect what was going on. Saul was a man of influence and power. He was the one in charge. He was the one who gave the orders. Others listened and obeyed his words.
And yet here he lowered himself in the presence of Jesus.
He was a lawyer by trade, having studied under Gamiliel, yet he did not try to argue. He was humbled by the presence of the One he was trying to silence. Are we still humbled by His presence?
Jesus not only engaged Saul, He not only impacted Saul, but this encounter changed Saul.
Saul abandoned his task to obey Jesus.
Saul’s sight was taken from him.
He had to go to the house of a man that he would have arrested previously.
Once his sight and strength were restored, he spent several days with the disciples in Damascus.
Verse 20 says that he immediately began to preach Jesus. This change comes from repentance. Saul completely turned his back on his former life. That's what repentance looks like. Repent is not a popular word. You actually don't even hear the word repent very often anymore.
Nevertheless, it is what makes the kind of change that Saul experienced possible.