Saul (aka, “the Apostle Paul”) is converted to The Way… the very ones he is on rampageous mission to obliviate! He meets the Lord while on the way to destroy members of The Way who are unashamed in declaring Jesus is the Way…the Truth and the Life, the Hope of Israel as Israel’s long-awaited Messiah-King. The account is recounted in Acts 9:
“…and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him (Saul). And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?’ And he said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.'” (Acts 9:3-5)
In that moment, I think several thoughts converge upon the mind of this Jewish scholar. He is a devout Pharisee who studied under the honorable Gamaliel according to “the strict manner of the law of our fathers” (Acts 22:3). He is not given to much exaggeration or sensationalism.
In the words of the Fidler, he is a man of Tradition!
He is also a man of passion and great zeal for God and is especially keen to crush the Jesus-movement among his Jewish brethren. He will protect the sheep from the wolves at all costs, and He is on his way to Damascus in Syria to do exactly that when suddenly …GOD!
Several possible converging thoughts:
- “Saul, Saul” is reflective of significant life-altering declarations in Scripture. God rescues Isaac just before his father Abraham plunges the knife into his chest, calling out, “Abraham, Abraham” (Genesis 22:11). God inaugurates the Exodus event by connecting with Moses from the flames of an unburnt bush, saying, “Moses, Moses” (Exodus 3:4). Jacob will be comforted to know his son Joseph lives and all will be set right by establishing a foothold in Egypt when God reminds him of His covenant purpose, promising, “Jacob, Jacob” (Genesis 46:2).
- The voice from heaven can only be from a Singular Source — Saul is a devout Jewish Pharisee and would know intuitively that there is only One True God: “Hear, O Israel, Yahweh our God, Yahweh is one” (Deuteronomy 6:4). The great Shama surely flashes across his cerebral cortex the moment he hears the Voice. We ought not read his question to the Lord as one searching for the unknown; rather, when he asks, “Who are You” he is using the same kind of response as his forebearers before him, acknowledging God’s presence and his impending duty. Desiring to be used of the LORD, perhaps this revelation will be a blessing. Yet, why would God say that he is persecuting Him?!
- This undesirable Name (cf. Acts 5:40) is actually named by the One who-ought-not-be-named, but now they are revealed to be One and the Same: Jesus along with the unnamed Creator-God of the universe, the God of Israel who is Yahweh, and shockingly He declares, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting” (Acts 9:5). In that moment, Saul realizes he is on the wrong side of theological fulfillment. This man Jesus is alive! This Man Jesus is equal with God! This God-Man Jesus IS God, the God of Israel who is One: the Great Shama expanded upon and now manifest by the wonder of Incarnation, emmanu-El (with us, God = Jesus).
Saul becomes speechless like Job before the whirlwind (Job 40:3-5). He says nothing more; and what is more, he is left blinded by the Light, and so he must be led into the city of Damascus by hand where he must await further instruction. The faithful Ananias will soon come to him, at the Lord’s bidding, at which time Saul is redeemed: filled with the Holy Spirit, scales falling from his eyes and physical sight being restored, even as spiritual sight is gained.
Saul will become “a chosen instrument” of the Lord’s, appointed as a servant and witness to the Gentiles, “to open their eyes,” (just like his own!) “so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in Jesus” (Acts 26:16-18).
Luke records Saul’s conversion in three different chapters (Acts 9, 22, 26); Saul will add his own perspective at the beginning of his letter to the Galatians. Though they differ in emphasis, all four communicate Saul’s desire to destroy the Jesus-movement among his Jewish brethren, followed by the miraculous account of divine intervention and a 180-degree turnaround in the life of a Jesus-persecutor.
Never underestimate the power of God to change lives; never discount the power of the Gospel upon our world! Pray for boldness, that words may be given in proclaiming the mystery of the Gospel as opportunities arise, and pray for the Lord to descend upon the hearts of unbelievers that many more “Saul’s” might come to a saving knowledge of our Lord Jesus!
“For I am not ashamed of the Gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” (Romans 1:16)
Glorify. Train. Engage. 