Thoughts for the Day

The Conversion of Saul

The conversion of Saul

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 travelling 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.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

Over the years I have often heard people argue against the existence of God. When I was wearing my 'dog collar', or people know I'm a Christian, then the subject will often pop up. It's the equivalent of being a Doctor - people always want to discuss their health with them! Often the discussions become arguments, which has always struck me as strange. Why get cross over something you don't believe in? It seem to me that those who get loudest (usually in the pub) about the non-existence of God are those actually coming to faith. The nearer they get to answering God's call the more vociferous they seem to become!

Hold this thought in your mind while we look at Saul (later he reverts to his Roman name, Paul). When the first martyr, Stephen, is stoned the witnesses 'laid their coats at the feet of a young man maned Saul' (Acts 7.58) and when he died we read that 'Saul approved of their killing him' (Acts 8.1). He then took to 'dragging off both men and women to prison' (Acts 8.3). Now we're told Saul seeks to take the persecution to Damascus!

Finally, he and the people with him, experience a blinding light and he hears Jesus' voice. At last he is ready to listen to God! Imagine how appalled he must have been for the rest of his life at his previous actions, even knowing that he was forgiven, and that he had been called to a new life. When we are at our most positive about some issue to do with our faith we should be careful to check it out with our Lord before continuing.

Lord God,
when we try to avoid hearing Your call
and go our own way,
breaking every commandment
and only doing what we want,
encourage us back to follow Your way,
and not our own way;
and forgive us.
Amen.