*Acts 9:1-19
On the road to Damascus, Jesus appears to a persecutor of Christians named Saul, blinding him and calling him to preach the gospel.
- Saul’s Journey to Damascus:
- Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, goes to the high priest in Jerusalem.
- He requests letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so if he finds any followers of the Way, men or women, he can take them as prisoners to Jerusalem.
- As he nears Damascus, a light from heaven suddenly flashes around him.
- Falling to the ground, he hears a voice saying, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”
- Saul asks who is speaking, and the voice identifies itself as Jesus, whom Saul is persecuting.
- Saul’s Conversion:
- Blinded by the light, Saul is led by the hand into Damascus by his companions.
- For three days he is blind and neither eats nor drinks.
- Jesus speaks to a disciple in Damascus named Ananias in a vision, telling him to go to the street called Straight and ask for Saul of Tarsus.
- Despite his reservations about Saul’s reputation, Ananias obeys after Jesus explains that Saul is His chosen instrument to proclaim His name to the Gentiles, kings, and the people of Israel.
- Ananias Heals Saul:
- Ananias finds Saul, lays his hands on him saying, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road by which you came, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”
- Immediately, something like scales falls from Saul’s eyes, and he regains his sight.
- He rises and is baptized.
- After taking some food, he regains his strength.
Acts 9:1-19 shows us that no one is beyond God’s reach and that He can change even the hardest hearts. Saul was against Jesus, but God met him in a powerful way and turned his life around. This reminds us that God can transform anyone, no matter their past. It also teaches us to trust God’s plan, like Ananias, who was afraid at first but obeyed and played a key role in Saul’s new life. We can apply this by believing that people can change, being willing to follow God’s direction, and showing grace to others just as God shows grace to us.
Acts 9:1-19 (WEB)
9:1 But Saul, still breathing threats and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked for letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 3 As he traveled, he got close to Damascus, and suddenly a light from the sky shone around him. 4 He fell on the earth, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”5 He said, “Who are you, Lord?”The Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 6 But rise up and enter into the city, then you will be told what you must do.”7 The men who traveled with him stood speechless, hearing the sound, but seeing no one. 8 Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened, he saw no one. They led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. 9 He was without sight for three days, and neither ate nor drank.10 Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias!”He said, “Behold, it’s me, Lord.”11 The Lord said to him, “Arise and go to the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judah for one named Saul, a man of Tarsus. For behold, he is praying, 12 and in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and laying his hands on him, that he might receive his sight.”13 But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he did to your saints at Jerusalem. 14 Here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.”15 But the Lord said to him, “Go your way, for he is my chosen vessel to bear my name before the nations and kings, and the children of Israel. 16 For I will show him how many things he must suffer for my name’s sake.”17 Ananias departed and entered into the house. Laying his hands on him, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord, who appeared to you on the road by which you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he received his sight. He arose and was baptized. 19 He took food and was strengthened.Saul stayed several days with the disciples who were at Damascus.