An Intimate Moment  With Saul

Scripture Passages: Acts 7:51b-8:4

 You are just like your fathers: You always resist the Holy Spirit! Was there ever a prophet your fathers did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered Him— you who have received the law that was put into effect through angels but have not obeyed it."

When they heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. "Look," he said, "I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God." At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul.

While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." Then he fell on his knees and cried out, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." When he had said this, he fell asleep.

And Saul was there, giving approval to his death. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church at Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put them in prison. Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.

Acts 9:1-18

Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord's disciples. He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?"

            "Who are you, Lord?" Saul asked.

            "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting," He replied. "Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do."

            The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.

In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, "Ananias!"
            "Yes, Lord," he answered.

            The Lord told him, "Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight."

"Lord," Ananias answered, "I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem. And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on Your name."

            But the Lord said to Ananias, "Go! This man is My chosen instrument to carry My name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for My name."

            Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit." Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength.

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The following is a fictionalized version of Acts 9:1-18. Others passages used in this story are Acts 22:3-21, 26:1-19, Luke 22:14-20 and 1 Tim 1:12-17

Absurd! Jews insisting Jesus is alive. Don’t they get it? Jesus was simply a man. He was arrested, tried in court, found to be a fraud, and put to death- that should have been the end of it. God forbid the Messiah ever be crucified!

But followers of the Way were spreading the rumor that Jesus had risen from the dead, and some claim they have seen him. They have been meeting openly and teaching their lies in the temple courts. The very thought of it disturbed Saul. He knew the Scriptures better than any Galilean fishermen. He would certainly know if Messiah had come. All of Israel would know!

Saul had not realized the extent of the Way’s following until a young man named Stephen was brought in before the Council. Stephen insulted the Council and accused them of impeding God’s work in Israel! The Council members were unanimous in their decision to stop him. Stephen was immediately stoned to death. And Saul was there guarding the cloaks of the witnesses, watching the Council doing their duty to defend God’s honor.

After Stephen’s blasphemy, Saul was convinced he must do something. God could never bless Israel while her people were wild worshiping a man, an idol made in the minds of men. The religious leaders must act to cut off these crazy idolaters. Saul met with the Council and was commissioned to arrest any followers of the Way. Going door to door, Saul started making arrests and bringing the offenders to the Council. Most were condemned and stoned to death. Followers of the Way fled the city for nearby regions.

Saul was zealous and anxious to look for followers hiding in Damascus. He sought letters from the high priest to chase them down, and bring them back to Jerusalem. The high priest eagerly granted the necessary letters authorizing Saul’s mission. 

Saul traveled to Damascus with a group of men who were also eager to put an end to the rebellion. As they neared Damascus on their journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around them. Saul fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?"

"Who are you, Lord?" Saul asked.

"I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting," He replied.

Saul was stunned as Jesus appeared before him in the full brightness of His glory and spoke directly to him.  Saul felt as though his soul lay bare before Jesus, every thought and intention exposed. Saul’s day of judgment had come.

But there was something else surprising about Jesus. Jesus’ eyes were keen but kind. His expression was serious but of loving concern. And His words were spoken with compassion not condemnation.

"Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do."

The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. When Saul got up from the ground, he opened his eyes but could not see anything. So they led him by the hand into Damascus.

Saul was a broken man as he was led into the city. He had been so wrong!! He wasn’t protecting God’s honor, he was tearing it down. He bowed his head in shame and replayed the events over and over- the bright light flashed from heaven like lightning… and the words “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting…” echoed in his mind. None of the other men saw what he had seen. But Saul was sure- Jesus was alive and well, and He was Lord.

The implications of Jesus’ revelation blew him away. "I thought I was thoroughly trained in the law… I thought I was being zealous for God.  I was convinced that I ought to do all that was possible to oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth. And that is just what I did in Jerusalem…I put many of the saints in prison, and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them. Many a time I went from one synagogue to another to have them punished, and I tried to force them to blaspheme. In my obsession against them, I even went to foreign cities to persecute them.” (Acts 22:3b, 26:9-11)  

Saul thought of all the arrests he had made. He was personally responsible for the execution of so many of Jesus’ followers. Innocent people were suffering because of his horrible error. How could he have been so blind? Remorse swelled over him and he wept loudly, “I am an unclean man before the Lord and He has now called me to give an account.” 

The next day Saul was still unable to see. And he knew he deserved it. He was ashamed and grieved for the dishonor, the disservice he had brought before the Lord.  His deeds were despicable, his offenses were so hideous. He tore at his clothing and poured ashes over his head. In this condition, no one bothered him.  Saul confessed with an honest heart, “Against You, You only, have I sinned and done what is evil in Your sight, so that You are proved right when You speak and justified when You judge. Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.” Ps 51:3-4

For three days Saul was blind, and did not eat or drink anything. He spent his day in mourning and prayer. He grieved for his crucified Lord, he grieved for the unbelieving Jewish leaders, he grieved for the entire Jewish nation- God had fulfilled His promise and they had missed it.

As Saul was praying on the third day, he had a vision and saw a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight. "Perhaps it is time for me to see the pain and suffering I have caused.” Again the thought of his foolish cruelty brought on fresh tears. He was undone.

He barely heard the knock on the door. A man walked in and placed his hands on Saul. "Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit." As the man placed his hands on Saul, something like scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he could see again.

Saul looked up at the man. “What is your name?” 

Ananias replied in a calm voice, “My name is Ananias. I am a believer, a follower of the Way. My Lord Jesus called to me in a vision, and told me to come to this house and find a man from Tarsus named Saul, who is praying. I have heard the reports about you and the harm you have done to the saints in Jerusalem. I didn’t want to come but have come to do as my risen Lord bids me to do.

Saul hung his head as he spoke, “Jesus revealed Himself to me three days ago. His showed me His glory. Everything I  ever lived for is wrong. Now I know my hands are unclean and I am guilty of innocent blood. There is no acceptable sacrifice for me to offer for such hideous sins.”

Then Ananias spoke again: “The God of our fathers has chosen you to know His will and to see the Righteous One and to hear words from His mouth. …Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on His name.” (Acts 22:14,16)

Saul was confounded, “I have acted foolishly. How can I call upon the crucified Lord with my unclean hands and guilty heart?  How can I, the worst of sinners, ask for mercy from the risen One I’ve been persecuting? How could one such as me ever expect to be pardoned?”

Ananias laid his hand on Saul’s shoulder. “Peter told us he was overcome with remorse after Jesus was killed. But the risen Lord appeared to him and reminded him of the last Passover they shared together. Jesus knew He was going to be betrayed and suffer. Jesus knew He would be condemned to die on a Roman cross. Yet He willingly gave up His life. Jesus told all these things to His disciples at the Passover meal. The disciples didn’t understand it at the time, but later they realized the full truth of His words- Messiah came to make sacrifice for sin, opening the way to for us to truly fellowship with God. His resurrection is the proof. His sacrifice for sin has been accepted by God.”

Saul’s mind spun through all the sacrifices specified in the book of Leviticus. He thought of the thousands of lambs sacrificed year after year at Passover. Sins acknowledged and confessed, but consciences never cleared. And God remained hidden behind a curtain in the Holy of holies.  Now Saul understood- animal sacrifices were not enough to atone for man’s sins. Saul’s mind jumped the gap and he realized the connection between Jesus’ death and the curtain in the temple opening the Holy of holies- from top to bottom.  Other connections quickly formed and Saul understood- Jesus was the Messiah, God’s Passover lamb.    

Ananias continued, “…And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on His name.” (Acts 22:16)

Saul looked up to heaven and prayed, “Oh Lord Jesus. You have shown me that You are the Messiah. I have acted foolishly and my shame is greater than I can bear. I humbly call on Your righteous name to have mercy on me.”

The Holy Spirit moved on Saul and he felt a surge as the guilt of his unpardonable sins was lifted up by the Savior, the One who bore his sins. “Your sins are forgiven, now you must forgive yourself. Wash your face, put on clean clothes, be joyful for what has done for you.”

No longer bound by the weight of condemnation, Saul stood up and embraced Ananias. He cleansed his hands and face and put on fresh clothes. Ananias led Saul downstairs and presented him as a new follower of Way. After Saul was baptized, they shared a simple meal together to remember the Jesus’ last meal:

When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. And He said to them, "I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God."

After taking the cup, He gave thanks and said, "Take this and divide it among you. For I tell you I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes."

Then Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is My body given for you; do this in remembrance of Me."

In the same way, after the supper He took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is poured out for you.” Luke 22:14-20

When the bread was served, Saul broke off a piece of the bread and gave thanks. When it was time to drink from the cup, Saul drank to the last drop. He addressed those in the room, his eyes filled with tears of joy:

“I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me new strength…

Even though I was a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy….

The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.

But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.  

Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.” 1 Tim 1:12-17

Prayer 

Dear Lord Jesus,

Saul believed he was earnestly serving God, nonetheless he was wrong. He was viscously opposed to You, yet You met him on the road and revealed Yourself to him. And sometime later in time, You were pleased to meet me along my road of unrighteousness.     

Thank You that You did not come to condemn the world but to save it, by words of confrontation, allowing me to realize my need for a crucified Savior.

Thank You for sending the Holy Spirit who convicted me of my sin, and of Your righteousness, and of judgment to come. I pray I will always be sensitive to the Holy Spirit.  

You ask is that I identify myself with You through baptism and fellowship with You in communion, a reminder that Christianity is not a religion but a relationship. 

When I am burdened or hindered by guilt and shame, remind me Your sacrifice is enough to cover all of my sins. I only need to make confession to You my crucified Savior and submit to You as my risen Lord.  

Never let me forget that my salvation is a precious gift. I have done nothing to earn or deserve it. Only through the Holy Spirit are eyes opened to spiritual truths. And never let me forget there is nothing I can do to lose my salvation. It is a promise sealed by the Holy Spirit.  No one can snatch me out of the Father’s hand.

You have called me for a purpose. Let my joy be full in You. May the overflow of my thankful heart spill over telling others of Your salvation.