Encounters With Jesus

Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord's disciples. He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. (Acts 9: 1-2, NIV)

SAUL OF TARSUS
(Acts 8: 1-3; 9: 1-22; II Corinthians 11: 22-29; Philippians 1: 12-14; 3: 4-11)

The Way, they call themselves. Heretics, I say! Blasphemers, every one of them! Each one deserves the just end as prescribed for such rabble by the Law. Silly, uneducated people ─ willing to follow any dreamer. Well, their dreamer is dead, and my privilege is to help them join him. But, such a waste ─ for what? For a stupid ideal. Any good Jew knows that God's Law is immutable. It's here to stay forever ─ just as is his nation, Israel! The Roman occupation? Oh, that's just a temporary nuisance. Our history is full of occupations, but we have always outlasted them. So shall it be with Rome. But these young idealists ─ just yesterday we silenced one for good. Stephen ─ I believe that was his name. He could have easily saved himself, but he said exactly the wrong thing. Then, abomination of abominations, he claimed he could see God and this imaginary Jesus standing on God's right side. Maybe it's not right to kill lunatics, but the Law is very specific in this regard. Blasphemy cannot be tolerated.

How could I have been so wrong? His brilliance was blinding, and his voice was overpowering. I have met the author of the Law, and he has shown me a better way. The grace he has given to me, I will show to others. Judgment and condemnation will no longer reign in my heart, for I have seen the radiance of his power and have felt the forgiveness of his love.

Discussion

It seems ironic that God would choose the most flagrant persecutor of his church to be one of the most influential apostles and the writer of more than half of the New Testament. Yet ,Christ personally picked Saul of Tarsus to be his primary evangelist to the Gentiles. Ananias also questioned the wisdom of this choice and was told by the Lord that Saul was his chosen instrument to reach the Gentiles, kings and the sons of Israel. The Lord also told Ananias that he would show Saul how much he would have to suffer in this capacity.

As we see Paul in action, it becomes clear that those same qualities that made him such an antagonist of the church also served him well in his evangelistic efforts. The same zeal which took Saul to Damascus in search of Christians to persecute also allowed Paul to endure hardships and persecutions as he ministered all the way to the king of Israel and the rulers of Rome.