BLINDED BY THE LIGHT
ACTS 9:3-6 NKJV
3 As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. 4 Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?"
5 And he said, "Who are You, Lord?"
Then the Lord said, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads."
6 So he, trembling and astonished, said, "Lord, what do You want me to do?"
Then the Lord said to him, "Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do."
Paul, the apostle was formerly known as Saul, was a major problem for the church. He was committing believers to prison, splitting families, and consenting to stonings. But he had an encounter that changed everything.
Paul's experience on the road to Damascus was highly unusual. We do not see another salvation experience like it in the Bible.
Paul was on his way to capture Christians and bring them in chains to Jerusalem. He was the number one enemy of the church at that time. Later Paul would testify that what he did was in ignorance. He thought he was pleasing God.
When the light shined on him, Paul fell to the ground. What is most interesting is the exchange that took place between the Lord and Paul.
Why are you persecuting me? This was the question this voice from heaven asked. Paul had the good sense to ask, who are You, Lord? When a light from heaven knocks you to the ground and a voice speaks to you, humility is a wise course of action.
I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. Jesus so identified with the believers that He took it personally what they were suffering through.
And it was hard to kick against the goads. A goad was a stick used to get an animal going in the right direction. The animals did not appreciate being poked and would kick against it. Paul was kicking against the direction that God had for him. He mentions being called of God to preach the gospel. Jesus let him know that his current actions were not going to work out well.
Paul made an abrupt adjustment and submitted Himself to Jesus. He called Jesus, Lord, and asked what he was to do. The Lord gave him the next step, and Paul's new story begins.
APPLICATION:
Paul's conversion to Jesus was one of the most impactful life changes of the New Testament. Paul would be the one to reach the Gentile nations. Paul had some of the greatest revelation as to what Jesus did for us. We are still reaping the benefits of that enlightening experience on the road to Damascus.
PRAYER:
Thank You, Lord, for what You accomplished through Paul. And thank You for the plan You have for my life. I desire to follow your plan not kick against it.