Acts 9:1-9
[1] And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,
[2] And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.
[3] And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:
[4] And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
[5] And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
[6] And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.
[7] And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.
[8] And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.
[9] And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.
We open up with the last moments that we know of as Saul of Tarsus. Saul was a Pharisee that intensely pursued the destruction of the church. In his last moments we find him in business as usual on his way with letters of arrest for people that were followers of Jesus Christ, also known that time as “the way”.
We can definitely conclude that God loves all mankind, even those that were bad. God finally saw the moment to give Saul the chance of a lifetime. His life was finally ready to be converted. There is a difference between having a religious change of mind and having a real conversion. Just because you have a praying mother does not mean that you have been converted. And just because you have come to an altar before and had a preacher lead you in prayer does not necessarily mean you have been converted. For when you are converted you accept by faith Christ is Lord in your heart and then it becomes a personal experience and relationship for yourself! You begin to follow Gods will and not your own.
Paul’s opening words from his encounter with Jesus was a question that will be your evidence of the transformation that took place: Jesus, what will thou have me to do? Or more plainspoken: God, what can I do for you? And if God would have left Paul there, it would have been justified to sit in the state of blindness. However, God’s love was proven as He spoke to Ananias and led him to lay hands upon Paul to receive healing and the Holy Spirit.
Acts 9:10-19
[10] And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord.
[11] And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,
[12] And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.
[13] Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:
[14] And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.
[15] But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:
[16] For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.
[17] And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.
[18] And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.
[19] And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus.
Here we find that the annihilation of his prior sins would then receive God’s love through the Holy Ghost and his eyes (as well as the unseen purpose of his life) are then opened. The letters he once walked with to destroy the church are now converted to living by the letter of love and life everlasting. They were the pages of the lamb’s book of life. Now we find that the word starts to go forth unto the Gentiles.
Acts 9:20-23
[20] And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.
[21] But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests?
[22] But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ.
[23] And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him:
And as he takes his first newborn steps we find where we are today. Empowered, yet with enemies in pursuit to continue the vengeful actions that were was left behind by Saul.
Mark 8:22-26
[22] And he cometh to Bethsaida; and they bring a blind man unto him, and besought him to touch him.
[23] And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town; and when he had spit on his eyes, and put his hands upon him, he asked him if he saw ought.
[24] And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking.
[25] After that he put his hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up: and he was restored, and saw every man clearly.
[26] And he sent him away to his house, saying, Neither go into the town, nor tell it to any in the town.
Sometimes we have to be led out of what is hurting us before our vision can be healed by Jesus. He touched him once and he could see a little, but after the second time he caused him to look up. By this point it was fully restored and made whole!
If you ever know or learn anything for the rest of your life then you need to know when you have that conversion with Jesus! If you have not yet, there is hope for you to step out and receive the greatest thing that will ever happen to you!