Acts 9:1-20
1Meanwhile Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any who belonged to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 3Now as he was going along and approaching Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” 5He asked, “Who are you, Lord?” The reply came, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 6But get up and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” 7The men who were traveling with him stood speechless because they heard the voice but saw no one. 8Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; so they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. 9For three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.
10Now there was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” He answered, “Here I am, Lord.” 11The Lord said to him, “Get up and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul. At this moment he is praying, 12and 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.” 13But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints in Jerusalem; 14and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who invoke your name.” 15But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is an instrument whom I have chosen to bring my name before Gentiles and kings and before the people of Israel; 16I myself will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” 17So Ananias went and entered the house. He laid his hands on Saul and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on your way here, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and his sight was restored. Then he got up and was baptized, 19and after taking some food, he regained his strength. For several days he was with the disciples in Damascus, 20and immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.”
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These verses are special to me, partly because nearing my Mom’s death she multiple times requested that I read this very story to her, “The Conversion of Saul.”
Saul from Tarsus, on the Road to Damascus had a reputation as a notorious persecutor of the followers of Jesus. Being a very devout, pious Jew, he loved God, and the Torah, and had great passion to defend his religious beliefs. In Saul’s mission of destruction, he really thought he was doing the will of God to round up the believers of Jesus to silence them, to stop the spread of the Way.
But, instead Saul is stopped in his tracks by Jesus, – The Voice – His voice!
Blinded, for three days, Saul is fasting, no doubt in prayer, seeking God, and as always, God answers.
Afraid of Saul, Ananias questioned God’s direction, so the Lord stated clearly, “Go, for he is an instrument whom I have chosen.” (22) In faith and obedience Ananias went, confirming, “Jesus, who appeared to you, on your way here, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” When it’s God’s voice that’s listen to, Saul’s eyes, as well as his spirit, and life opened wide to the Lord Jesus! Through Saul’s complete turn around, from persecutor, to devoted follower and proclaimer that Jesus is the Son of God, the Lord forever changed the course of Saul’s life, and the world’s!
See how many times Saul, later called Paul, is mentioned, and is author in the New Testament.
Was there a time you thought you knew what path the Lord wanted you on, only to find out that God had his different plans instead? How did the Lord get your attention?
How can we live daily in the Way of Jesus?
Prayer: Lord, when we don’t hear you clearly, too focused on our plans, instead of yours, break in, get our attention, and open the eyes of our heart, and lead us in Your Way. Thy will be done. Amen.
—Rhonda Grunwald