March 28, 2023 | Be On Mission
Saul is Blinded by the Light
Scripture: Acts 9:3-9 (NIV)
3 As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”
5 “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.
“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. 6 “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”
7 The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. 8 Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. 9 For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.
Devotional
In yesterday’s reading, we saw how Saul was “breathing out murderous threats” toward Hebrew Christians (Jews who believed that Jesus was the Messiah, the Son of God). So, Saul got permission to travel 150 miles to Damascus in southern Syria to arrest any who belonged to the Way and bring them back to Jerusalem in chains. Saul must have gotten a huge adrenaline rush from persecuting Christians.
Now, 150 miles into his journey, Saul was blinded by a bright light from heaven as the Lord told him, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting” (v. 5). The bright light had to stun him, but the voice of Jesus had to shake him at his core. Saul approved the killing of Stephen (Acts 8:1), began to destroy Christianity in Jerusalem (8:3), and traveled to distant lands to arrest faraway believers (9:1-2).
Why? Because these followers of the Way were corrupting Judaism by proclaiming faith in this false Christ named Jesus. And now this same Jesus, resurrected from the dead and ascended to heaven, was standing right in front of him saying, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.”
When he got up, Saul couldn’t see anything. He had intended to go to Damascus to look for Christians. Instead, he entered the city as a man whose eyes and faith had been blindsided. He was so shaken that he went on a three-day complete fast from any food or liquid. Everything he stood against was now beckoning to be embraced. Yes, when he got up, Saul couldn’t see anything. But for the first time in his life he was beginning to see everything.
Prayer
Oh Lord, all too often I unintentionally, and sometimes even intentionally, persecute You. I speak out against You. I act out against You. My heart turns from You. When this happens, please Lord, humble my heart and convict my spirit. Remove my worldly strength, my pride and arrogance so that I lean into You fully. Speak to my heart and show me my wrongs. Take my eyes off of this world and blind me as You did Your disciple Saul. For when I am blinded to the ways of this world, it is then I can focus solely on You. Lead me into your will. I am ready. Amen.
Poem
Make Me Blind
It’s said
In weakness one is strong
Your enemy’s your brother
Don’t think about what’s good for you
Instead care for the other
The seeing ones are often blind
The sightless see more clearly
The ones forgiven of the most
Are ones who love more dearly
So, LORD
When weak, you be my strength
Lead me to love the hated
Don’t let me sit or fill my plate
Until others have been sated
If I can’t see then make me blind
Until I know your voice
Help me to put aside the world
And cling to You, my choice
