The Pilgrim Path---Acts 9: 1 – 9

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 lead him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

…BREATHING THREATS AND MURDER

Saul of Tarsus was a fiery and zealous man. Consumed. Driven. Captivated by self-righteousness, he held the firm belief that he kept God’s Law and understood the Mosaic Code better than any of his contemporaries. He truly was compelled to eliminate this heretical religious following (the disciples of the Way=followers of Jesus) because they were to his way of thinking---a real danger to the “correct” understanding of historic Judaism. Had we been able to interview him before this episode in Acts chapter 9---he would probably have told us that these disciples of Jesus of Nazareth had, “to not only be put in prison---but also be deprogrammed---because they had their very lives taken over by another! Even their very minds had been taken over!” This from the man, who moved by the Spirit would write: “let this mind be in you---which was also in Christ Jesus.”

Behold---the proud man now: Saul is broken and changed by the resurrected and glorified Christ of God---on the road to Damascus. Saul “finds” his place in the dust. Light engulfs him---and the Savior asks, “Saul, Saul---Why do you torment me---grieve my Church?” When you attack His People---you persecute Him. Most unbelievers are certainly unaware of this fact. The Living Christ “lives” within the Body. Those who journey with Saul were caught with the “wonder” of the voice---but they saw no one. The Master Jesus simply told Saul to go into the city and await further orders. Saul is blind---but that will change soon enough. He will be used by the Savior to “open” the eyes of multitudes! The proud man becomes a new man “in” Jesus Christ. An amazing transformation. The man who breathed out threats will begin to breath out life and peace in Jesus’ Holy Name.

From Charles Hodge: Pauls’ conversion---Not by outward circumstances. Not by the revelation of Christ to his sense of vision. But by the immediate power of God (Gal. 1: 16). So our LORD said to Peter, “Flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but My Father.” Entire submission and devotion, a willingness to renounce anything, and to do anything that Christ required. This supposes the recognition of Him as God. So, Christ became at once to him the supreme object of worship, love, and zeal. It made him one of the greatest , best, and happiest of men.

From Charles Haddon Spurgeon: It is by knowing Christ that you will learn to obey Him, and the more you obey Him the more easy it will be: and in obeying Him you will find honor. Paul at this day stands in a most honorable place in the Church of God, simply because being called of God to do His will he did it faithfully even to the end.

From James Montgomery Boice: We should be greatly encouraged by the fact that God saved Saul. God turned this great persecutor of the early Christians into the first great missionary. He took the man who had been doing most to harm the church and turned him into the man who did most to build it up. If God could do that with Saul, God can do the same thing today. If you have a son or daughter whom you are worried about, a child who is off somewhere not serving the LORD, or a husband or wife who is unconverted, keep praying for him or her. God can (and frequently does) do something remarkable.

From Simon Kistemaker: Separated from society by his blindness and left to himself for three days. Paul has time to cope with the greatest crisis of his life: conversion. Note the symbolism of the three days Paul spent in solitary confinement. “He is crucified with Christ, and the three days of darkness are like the three days in the tomb” (Richard Rackham). And notice the contrast of light and darkness in the account of Paul’s conversion. In spiritual blindness Paul sees Jesus in brilliant glory light. Physically blinded, Paul prays and begins to see spiritually…In a sense, Paul’s conversion was sudden when Jesus arrested him on the way to, Damascus and addressed him personally. But if we look at the broader context (vv. 10—19), we see a gradual development of his conversion and calling. In his loneliness, no one proclaimed the gospel to him until Ananias, sent by Jesus, extended to him the welcome of the Christian community…

HYMN

We sing the glorious conquest before Damascus gate,

When Saul, the church’s spoiler, came breathing threats and hate;

The ravening wolf rushed forward full early to the prey;

But lo! The Shepherd met him, and bound him fast today.

O glory most excelling, that smote across his path!

O light that pierced and blinded the zealot in his wrath!

O voice that spoke unto him the calm, reproving word!

O love that sought and held him the bondman of the LORD!

LORD, teach your church the lesson, still in her darkest hour

Of weakness and of danger, to trust your hidden power;

Your grace by ways mysterious the wrath of man can bind,

And in your boldest foeman your chosen saint can find.

John Ellerton, 1871 / Alt. 1961, mod.

Grace and Peace in Jesus, the Only Redeemer of broken and wretched souls, Pastor Jason