“And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven.”
“And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat or drink.” Acts 9:3,9
Imagine one of the most intellectually gifted men: born into privilege and status, a religious prodigy with a promising path to power, filled with determination and rage toward the Lord’s people. It sounds like an oxymoron: a religious man who breathes out threats against the disciples of the Lord.
So with letters in his hand, and a determined attitude, Saul makes his way to Damascus to do his bidding. And on the road to Damascus, a light suddenly shines from heaven and flashes around him.
A light so bright, it knocks him off his beast; puts him on the ground, and then he hears a voice: “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?”
There are some profound questions in the Bible, and brothers, I believe this is one of them. A question to get him thinking, to humble him, rebuke him, and warn him.
“Who are you, Lord?”, Saul responds. “I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting,” the Lord replies.
After Saul understands that it was the Lord Jesus he was persecuting, he needs help from the men in his travel group. They help him to his feet, but he is unable to see. His vision has been temporarily suspended. Saul, the mighty warrior in spirit (born of the tribe of Benjamin), is led about like a little child because his pride needs to be dealt with and his sin needs to be removed. The religious phenom is in need of a Savior; he needs to be born again.
John 3:19 declares “And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.” Jesus says “I am the light of the world” in the same gospel.
Rebellious and disobedient men hate light; but light is where God begins (Gen. 1:3). He commands the light to shine out of darkness (and watch this brothers): to shine in our hearts, giving us light of the knowledge of God’s glory in the face of Jesus Christ. (2 Cor. 4:6)
“Who are you, Lord?” Saul asks?
“I am Jesus, who you are persecuting.” Jesus responds.
May every man who is confronted by this light—a light so blinding it brings us to a complete stop—say these words:
"Lord, what do you want me to do?"
Wait for God’s instructions, for He will speak, if ever so brief; but Jesus will tell you and me what He wants us to do.
Arise and get up, brothers.
ᴳᵒ.ᴬʰᵉᵃᵈ