June 28, 2014 (Saturday)
The pivotal day of Paul’s life was the day the risen Christ met him as he was on his way to Damascus to arrest followers of Jesus, for having a faith now branded as heretical and illegal by the Jewish leaders. He recited the events of that day more than once as recorded in the Book of Acts, and probably many more times, more than likely everywhere he went. How could he ever forget? Here is his own account to King Agrippa in Acts 26, via “The Message” translation:
“From the time of my youth, my life has been lived among my own people in Jerusalem. Practically every Jew in town who watched me grow up–and if they were willing to stick their necks out they’d tell you in person–knows that I lived as a strict Pharisee, the most demanding branch of our religion. It’s because I believed it and took it seriously, committed myself heart and soul to what God promised my ancestors–the identical hope, mind you, that the twelve tribes have lived for night and day all these centuries–it’s because I have held on to this tested and tried hope that I’m being called on the carpet by the Jews. They should be the ones standing trial here, not me! For the life of me, I can’t see why it’s a criminal offense to believe that God raises the dead.
“I admit that I didn’t always hold to this position. For a time I thought it was my duty to oppose this Jesus of Nazareth with all my might. Backed with the full authority of the high priests, I threw these believers–I had no idea they were God’s people!–into the Jerusalem jail right and left, and whenever it came to a vote, I voted for their execution. I stormed through their meeting places, bullying them into cursing Jesus, a one-man terror obsessed with obliterating these people. And then I started on the towns outside Jerusalem.
“One day on my way to Damascus, armed as always with papers from the high priests authorizing my action, right in the middle of the day a blaze of light, light outshining the sun, poured out of the sky on me and my companions. Oh, King, it was so bright! We fell flat on our faces. Then I heard a voice in Hebrew: ‘Saul, Saul, why are you out to get me? Why do you insist on going against the grain?’
“I said, ‘Who are you, Master?’
“The voice answered, ‘I am Jesus, the One you’re hunting down like an animal. But now, up on your feet–I have a job for you. I’ve handpicked you to be a servant and witness to what’s happened today, and to what I am going to show you.
“‘I’m sending you off to open the eyes of the outsiders so they can see the difference between dark and light, and choose light, see the difference between Satan and God, and choose God. I’m sending you off to present my offer of sins forgiven, and a place in the family, inviting them into the company of those who begin real living by believing in me.’
“What could I do, King Agrippa? I couldn’t just walk away from a vision like that! I became an obedient believer on the spot. I started preaching this life-change–this radical turn to God and everything it meant in everyday life–right there in Damascus, went on to Jerusalem and the surrounding countryside, and from there to the whole world.”
There you have it. This is why he made the change from being a dedicated Pharisee and persecutor of Christians to a devoted servant of Jesus Christ. It motivated him to share the gospel in as many places as he could, with as many people as he could, as long as he could.
Whenever we read the letters of Paul, we need to recall his experience on the road to Damascus. We can be sure it was always on his mind. Do you remember the day Jesus came into your life to shower you with His grace and save you for all eternity? Please take a few moments right now to recite that experience to yourself. Then tell it to someone else. One of life’s greatest joys is leading another person to accept Christ as Savior. One of Heaven’s greatest joys will be seeing that person there.