March 27, 2023 | Be On Mission
Saul is Breathing Murderous Threats
Scripture: Acts 9:1-2 (NIV)
1 Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest 2 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.
Devotional
When waves of persecution swept through Jerusalem like a tsunami, the Bible says that a man Saul was right there in the holy city leading the way. Acts 8:3 says, “But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison.” This only caused the good news of Jesus to spread to other lands.
One such place was the city of Damascus in Syria, 150 miles north of Jerusalem. But this distance would not deter Saul. In today’s reading we see that his hatred for Christians was so intense that he got permission to travel to Damascus, ferret out any Christians living there, and haul them back in chains to Jerusalem.
It is interesting to note that early Christianity was known as “the Way.” In John 14, Jesus was having a conversation with His disciples just before His arrest and crucifixion. He described heaven to them, then said, “You know the way to the place where I am going” (John 14:4). When Thomas asked how they could possibly know the way, Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:5-6).
You know the way.
How can we know the way?
I am the way.
The Way.
If being a Christian is anything, it is about following the way of Jesus. Whether through hardship, persecution or suffering, Jesus is the only way. When filled with doubt, disappointment or anger, Jesus is the only way. Trying to figure out your current relationship? Jesus is the way. Lost in cultural confusion? Jesus is the way. Upside down in finances? Jesus is the way.
The early Christians believed this so much that they put their lives on the line. 1 Timothy 2:5 says, “For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus.” He is the only way!
Prayer
Heavenly Father, You are all-knowing. You see goodness in people when we cannot. Saul breathed murderous threats toward Christians simply because they were different. Yet, similar to Saul, we often pursue hateful thoughts toward those we view as different. Lord, redirect our pursuits so that we may be known not for our opinions but for our Christ-like character. Open our hearts so we may have the courage to pray for those who pursue us and the grace to pray for those we do not understand. Let our character reflect the love of Your Son in all we do. Amen.
Poem
Bound
I hate them so
Those Christian freaks
Who think they know more
Than the priests
Or scribes or rabbis
Of our day
So murder now
Shall be my way
I’ll find them, search them
Hunt them down
And bring them back to Zion
Bound
“I love you so
You blinded son
Whose pride has denied
Chosen One
Despite your knowledge
And great mind
I’ll strike you down
Upon the ground
I’ll find you, search you
Hunt you down
And bring you back to Me
Unbound”
