Conversion of Paul
Acts 9:1-22 (NRSV)
Meanwhile 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 who belonged to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Now as he was going along and approaching Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" He asked, "Who are you, Lord?" The reply came, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But get up and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do." The men who were traveling with him stood speechless because they heard the voice but saw no one. Saul 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. For three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.
Now there was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, "Ananias." He answered, "Here I am, Lord." The 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, 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 in Jerusalem; and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who invoke your name." But 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; I myself will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name." So 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." And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and his sight was restored. Then he got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength.
For several days he was with the disciples in Damascus, and immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, "He is the Son of God." All who heard him were amazed and said, "Is not this the man who made havoc in Jerusalem among those who invoked this name? And has he not come here for the purpose of bringing them bound before the chief priests?" Saul became increasingly more powerful and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Messiah.
Reflection
Two callings with one conversion. Two people called at least. More than likely more callings to a particular task. Fearful calls at that. Calls that I'm sure several parties involved were very intimidated by. Would the trust, hope and faith show up and carry out the actions of the calls.
So you may be called, even if you seem to be on the opposite side of God. I don't think God sees differences as exaggerated as we do ourselves. I think God sees potential and we see political at times. Even though Saul was persecuting the Christians at the time, God chose to call Saul.
Even though Saul would be the last person Ananias would want to meet in this world, God called Ananias to meet Saul.
And then you have this confused party of people going along with this entire act. God must have been speaking to them too. Or they were in such shock of the events they didn't know what was going on. I suspect God's touch was involved however.
And for three days Saul was without sight. Reminds me of being in the tomb for three days. Reminds me of baptism and being buried under the water. Reminds me of three days of tasting death. Reminds me of the resurrection and new life. Saul's life was about to make a dramatic change. Saul was being resurrected to a new life as one of the most influential disciples of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ of whom Saul was just persecuting. Why did you persecute Jesus, Saul? Things are about to change. Get ready, Saul, for the time of your life.
And the same for you and for me. Since baptism when we felt that water bury our old life and those scales fall from our human eyes; it was time to get ready. Get ready for the time of our lives. Things are about to change. The journey will be wild, frightening, daring and fun beyond belief. Thanks be to God! Now that's living!
Prayer
Lord, I rejoice in the variety of people you call and surprise me with. I'm so glad to learn of the wonderful people who are lead to you by paths I would never expect. You continually surprise me with how you resurrect lives. I'm amazed... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen
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