The Apostle Paul is about to tell his conversion story to the angry mob at Jerusalem. When we left off yesterday he was talking about the journey he took to Damascus with letters that gave him permission to arrest Christians and drag them back to Jerusalem for punishment. This is where we pick up today.
"About noon as I came near Damascus, suddenly a bright light from heaven flashed around me. I fell to the ground and heard a voice say to me, 'Saul! Saul! Why do you persecute Me?'" (Acts 22:6-7) Jesus takes persecution of Christians personally. The one who ridicules, despises, or mistreats Christians is ridiculing, despising, and mistreating Christ Himself. Paul thought he was doing God a favor by attempting to wipe out Christianity, but in reality he was fighting against the One whose honor he sought to defend.
As Paul lies in the dust on the road to Damascus, hands plastered tightly over his eyes because of the great light, shaking uncontrollably in fear, he asks the only question he can think to ask, "'Who are You, Lord?' I asked." (Acts 22:8a) Who is this whose glory shines like a thousand suns? Who is this whose voice shakes the heavens? Who is this whose gospel is turning the world upside down? We have to ask ourselves the same question. Who is Jesus to us? Do we believe that He is Lord and Savior and God?
The voice answers Paul, "'I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting,' He replied. My companions saw the light, but they did not understand the voice of Him who was speaking to me." (Acts 22:8b) We can all sit in the same church and hear the same message, but unless our hearts are open and willing, we won't all understand what Jesus has to say. Paul's companions are no doubt frightened. They see the same bright light. They hear the same thundering voice. But unlike Paul they are not shaken to their very souls. Something inside them has not opened itself up to the miraculous event that is taking place. As they journey on toward Damascus, only one man in their group arrives there changed forever.
Confronted with the terrible truth of his sins, Paul's only concern is how he can be made right with the Lord. In one shining moment, his hatred toward Christians and the Christian faith has blown away on the wind. He has been consumed with the task of eradicating Christianity and now he is left without a purpose in life. He doesn't know where to go or what to do. "What shall I do, Lord?' I asked. 'Get up,' the Lord said, 'and go into Damascus. There you will be told all that you have been assigned to do.' My companions led me by the hand into Damascus, because the brilliance of the light had blinded me. A man named Ananias came to see me. He was a devout observer of the law and highly respected by all the Jews living there. He stood beside me and said, 'Brother Saul, receive your sight!' And at that very moment I was able to see him." (Acts 22:10-13) The Lord gives Paul a new purpose in life. The man who once zealously persecuted the church now zealously wants to build it up.
He relates the words of Ananias. "Then he said: 'The God of our ancestors has chosen you to know His will and to see the Righteous One and to hear words from His mouth. You will be His witness to all people of what you have seen and heard. And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on His name.'" (Acts 22:14-16) Paul wants the angry crowd to realize that a devout and well-respected Jew like Ananias believes in the Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord did a miracle through this man when He enabled Ananias to give Paul his sight back. The Lord gave Ananias a prophetic vision of all the things Paul would do for the church. If a man like Ananias who loves and respects the God of Israel and who honors His law is willing to extend the hand of friendship to Paul, shouldn't they be willing to do the same?
But in tomorrow's study we will find that they are quite unwilling. They will riot in the streets again as they scream for his execution. The troubles of Paul will lead to the furtherance of the gospel in the Gentile world. King David prophetically foresaw the word of God going out to the world, and he said, "I will speak of Your statutes before kings and will not be put to shame, for I delight in Your commands because I love them." (Psalm 119:46-47) The Lord Jesus Christ spoke similar words to His followers, "Be on your guard; you will be handed over to the local councils and be flogged in the synagogues. On My account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles." (Matthew 10:17-18) The Apostle Paul will be handed over to the local council. He will endure beatings by his own people. He will share the gospel with Gentile governors and kings. Like David, Paul asserts that he will never be put to shame no matter what comes his way, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile." (Romans 1:16)
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