Sunrise in Newbury, Berkshire, in 2004 Photo by Joolz
Good morning, beloved,
Tuning my thoughts to Jesus this morning. Remembering this is His time. This is not the time to ponder the day. Or conversations I need to have. Rather, this morning time? I need to dedicate this time. Set aside. Frankly, I could learn a lot from my dog. Do things bother her? Does she get hung up on little things? Right now, she has taken to the couch and is on her back sound asleep. Yes, asleep. Very singular focus, this dog. Me? I’m all over the place. I ask my God to tune my heart. Be my vision.
On our trip home from vacation, we listened to most of Acts and all of Romans from the Word of Promise audio Bible. There is something about listening to these precious words. Don’t get me wrong, reading and taking apart is my passion…At times, you will hear the pen scribbling on the paper. Doors open and close. Listening to Paul’s story, his conversion, his transformation all over gives me hope. My goal in these next few weeks is to follow Paul’s story and work through Ephesians. So let’s introduce ourselves to Paul.
·In Jerusalem [L But; Meanwhile] Saul was still ·threatening [L breathing threats against] the ·followers [disciples] of the Lord by saying he would kill them. So he went to the high priest [C probably Caiaphas; 4:6] 2 and asked him to write letters to the synagogues in the city of Damascus [C in Syria, 135 miles north of Jerusalem]. Then if Saul found any ·followers of Christ’s Way [or who belonged to the Way; C a name for the Christian movement], men or women, he would ·arrest [take them prisoner; L bind]them and bring them back to Jerusalem. Acts 9 EXB
I have to tell you. If you haven’t read chapter 8 of Acts. Do it. Amazing. The Spirit of God is moving, powerfully. The mourning of Stephen, the story of Simon (a man who had much to learn), the story of Phillip all encapsulated the early movement in the church. Behind it all, a man was gaining power, prestige and moving to destroy the Way.
Panoramic View over the Old City Jerusalem from the Austrian Hospice. Photo by 365grad
Saul wasn’t content just ripping apart the Way in Jerusalem. He saw that it was spreading to other regions. He had his goal, his purpose. Look in this passage. How far was he willing to travel? 135 miles? On foot or by horse, still a long way…according to NET Bible, “From Damascus to Jerusalem was a six-day journey. Christianity had now expanded into Syria.” He was planning to make this a round trip. So, not only was he willing to travel six days, round ’em all up, then he was willing to come back.
3 So Saul headed toward Damascus. As he came near the city, a bright light from heaven suddenly flashed around him [C in the OT lightning sometimes signaled the appearance of God; Ex. 19:16]. 4 Saul fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul! Why are you persecuting me?”
5 Saul said, “Who are you, ·Lord [or sir]?”
The voice answered, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 6 Get up now and go into the city. ·Someone there will tell you [L You will be told] what you must do.”
A bright light from heaven suddenly flashed around him…
When Paul is describing this event in Acts 26:13, “I saw a light from heaven. It was brighter than the sun and ·flashed [shone] all around me and those who were traveling with me.” All he could do was fall to the ground. Makes me think of when Daniel encounters the angel in Daniel 8: 17 ·Gabriel [L He] came to where I was standing. When he came close to me, I was ·very afraid [terrified; or overwhelmed] and ·bowed facedown on the ground [L fell on my face]. But ·Gabriel [L he] said to me, “·Human being [L Son of man], understand that this vision is about the time of the end.”
Ray of Light on Cap Haitien, Haiti Photo by Alex Proimos from Sydney, Australia
Just think, friends, Paul met with Jesus. What do we know about the name of Jesus?
In Philippians 2:10 so that every knee will bow to the name of Jesus—
everyone in heaven, on earth, and under the earth.
11 And ·everyone [L every tongue] will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord and bring glory to God the Father.
So, now, we have a handle on the holiness of this moment. This was the defining moment of his life. He met Jesus. He heard the emotion as Jesus called to him. And Saul realizes that his persecution, his passion for the destruction Christian church…little did he know he was actually persecuting Jesus! What does that mean to us today? Jesus felt every blow, every whip, every word against the church. He felt every wound. Sweet friend, Jesus feels your every trial, He catches every tear.
Beautiful. Absolutely!
7 The ·people [men] traveling with Saul stood there ·but said nothing [speechless; or unable to speak]. They heard the voice, but they saw no one. 8 Saul got up from the ground and opened his eyes, but he could not see. So those with Saul took his hand and led him into Damascus. 9 For three days Saul could not see and did not eat or drink. Acts 9 EXB
Pray on. Pray on.
Related articles
- The Damascus Road Experience (penseesdejenni.wordpress.com)
- The Calling of Saul/Paul (pastorrobbm.wordpress.com)
- Acts 9:1-25 (sisterspray4me.com)
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