The conversion of Saul is one of the most profound miracles of the Bible. It is one that should give every Christian hope, and inspire us to be all the more bold in our prayers, witness, and trust in God. Here we see the power of the Gospel put on full display, and a man who once hated the name of Jesus and sought to destroy His followers becomes one of the most zealous followers of Christ and a powerful preacher of His salvation. We can also see the interplay between God’s Law and Gospel as Jesus both confronts Saul and knocks him off his horse, and then sends comfort, forgiveness, and restoration through Ananias.
There are many people in our world who live as enemies of the Christ. Some are violently opposed to Jesus; jihadists, and some of the communists who continue to persecute the church. Many are coolly indifferent. To them the message of salvation is hokum and hoodoo, and those who believe it are at best, “fools grasping for straws,” or at worst, “dangerous radicals whose only goal is to brainwash the masses.” How can such a person be saved? They have no use of the Gospel. They don’t believe they need it! How can such a person come to faith?
In Saul, God shows us that it can happen. Later, after he had changed his name to Paul, this man would write, “The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.” God’s mercy to Saul shows us that He truly desires all people to be saved, and He is mighty enough to break down the hardest walls a person can set against him.
God had chosen Saul as His instrument to declare His name out into the world, and he would indeed suffer for the sake of the name of Jesus.
We are chosen instruments as well. We have been selected for this time and this place to carry the name of Jesus before coworkers, classmates, neighbors, family and community. Just as the Holy Spirit changed Saul’s heart and put him on display to show what he can do in a person’s life, you and I have hearts which are being changed. The Holy Spirit is at work in us to transform our hearts and minds into the image of Christ. In our baptism He chose each of us and washed us clean of our sins and created faith in us. By the Word, the Spirit continues to feed and strengthen our faith pouring our God’s love and forgiveness on us. In the Lord’s Supper He feeds us on Jesus’ body and blood and again gives us forgiveness and strengthens our faith.
He also puts out lives on display. You are an example of forgiveness. Not so much how to give forgiveness (although we get to do this, too), but what it means to be forgiven. We testify to the power of Jesus’ death and resurrection by how firmly we hold on to His forgiveness for us! And that forgiveness for us moves us to share it with others . . . even people we think will never accept it. After all, no one thought that Saul would ever become a Christian! Perhaps you can see where your story is not so different from his, and then rejoice in what God has done for you!
Father in Heaven, I am amazed at what you did in Saul’s life. Help me to see what you have done in my own life, calling and saving me. Shape me to be a “chosen instrument” to carry your name, and show people Your forgiveness and salvation; in Jesus’ name. Amen.
There are many people in our world who live as enemies of the Christ. Some are violently opposed to Jesus; jihadists, and some of the communists who continue to persecute the church. Many are coolly indifferent. To them the message of salvation is hokum and hoodoo, and those who believe it are at best, “fools grasping for straws,” or at worst, “dangerous radicals whose only goal is to brainwash the masses.” How can such a person be saved? They have no use of the Gospel. They don’t believe they need it! How can such a person come to faith?
In Saul, God shows us that it can happen. Later, after he had changed his name to Paul, this man would write, “The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.” God’s mercy to Saul shows us that He truly desires all people to be saved, and He is mighty enough to break down the hardest walls a person can set against him.
God had chosen Saul as His instrument to declare His name out into the world, and he would indeed suffer for the sake of the name of Jesus.
We are chosen instruments as well. We have been selected for this time and this place to carry the name of Jesus before coworkers, classmates, neighbors, family and community. Just as the Holy Spirit changed Saul’s heart and put him on display to show what he can do in a person’s life, you and I have hearts which are being changed. The Holy Spirit is at work in us to transform our hearts and minds into the image of Christ. In our baptism He chose each of us and washed us clean of our sins and created faith in us. By the Word, the Spirit continues to feed and strengthen our faith pouring our God’s love and forgiveness on us. In the Lord’s Supper He feeds us on Jesus’ body and blood and again gives us forgiveness and strengthens our faith.
He also puts out lives on display. You are an example of forgiveness. Not so much how to give forgiveness (although we get to do this, too), but what it means to be forgiven. We testify to the power of Jesus’ death and resurrection by how firmly we hold on to His forgiveness for us! And that forgiveness for us moves us to share it with others . . . even people we think will never accept it. After all, no one thought that Saul would ever become a Christian! Perhaps you can see where your story is not so different from his, and then rejoice in what God has done for you!
Father in Heaven, I am amazed at what you did in Saul’s life. Help me to see what you have done in my own life, calling and saving me. Shape me to be a “chosen instrument” to carry your name, and show people Your forgiveness and salvation; in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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