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4. Christ’s Appearance to Saul near Damascus (Acts 9:1-5)
ACTS 9:1-5
1 But Saul, still breathing threats and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest, 2 and asked for letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 3 As he traveled, it happened that he got close to Damascus, and suddenly a light from the sky shone around him. 4 He fell on the earth, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” 5 He said, “Who are you, Lord?” The Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It’s hard for you to kick against the goads.
Saul had studied the Law in Jerusalem at the feet of Gamaliel, the wise, Old Testament scholar. He believed in the oneness of God, and was exceedingly enthusiastic for his faith. He zealously strove to defend the belief in God´s oneness, and to see that His law was carried out in his nation. Whoever turned away from the faith of the fathers, or refused to submit to it, was constrained by Saul to submit to it, or be spitefully killed. Stephen’s sermon during his defense before the high council and his statement about seeing Christ had enraged the young Saul. Thus he tormented believers of this doctrine, demanding that they renounce their belief and blaspheme Christ. The Jewish high council was pleased with the activity and boldness of Saul, and provided him with the necessary authority and letters when he applied for permission to further pursue followers of Christ in the large desert oasis of Damascus. He intended to reform the Jewish community there, annihilate the heresies of Jesus, and confirm the faith of the fathers.
The proud Saul rode on the back of a horse through the desert and towards the Syrian capital to destroy those who had the Spirit of Christ. This new faith had been brought to Damascus through traders, refugees, and travelers, and not through apostles or deacons. The believers knew the intents of their great enemy and kept praying for him.
When Saul saw the city towers and domes from afar, he prepared to proudly enter the city. Suddenly the glory of the Lord shone round about this zealous young man, who thought he was serving God, yet, in fact, was a servant of Satan. Saul fell from his horse to the ground. We never read after this that Saul rode a horse again. Henceforth, he would brokenly and humbly walk on foot.
The young man heard a voice that pricked him to the heart, and caused his mind to freeze: “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” The speaker knew his name, his character, his past, and also about his plans. God had uncovered him, revealing all his life and offences. He was unveiled before the eternal Judge.
Saul trembled when the voice said to him: “You persecute me.” Jesus did not say: “You persecute the church”, but “you persecute me personally”, for Jesus and his church are a complete unity. The Lord is the head, and we are the members of His spiritual body. Whatever happens to the least of His followers happens to Him personally. The Lord suffers with His church for every injustice done against it. In this short statement Jesus declared the mystery of His church and the end of His design. He is divinely and lovingly united with His followers through the Holy Spirit.
Jesus did not say to the overwhelmed Saul: “You persecute me”, but “Why do you persecute me?” It is painful and difficult for God when people do not understand the truth of the Holy Trinity. There is no reason or right in any man to refuse to submit to Jesus. The principle fault is that people do not accept the exceedingly great love of the Creator that has been revealed in Christ. The chief sin is not to believe in the forgiveness of sins through Him who was crucified. This goes against the absolute intention of God, who condemns every stubborn man by saying: “Why do you persecute Me and contradict the love of the Holy Trinity?”
Saul somehow felt that the Lord of Glory would not destroy him at once, though he was His enemy, and though he had killed His followers. He sensed in himself that the voice speaking was one of love, and not of vengeance, and that this essence was grace and not judgment. Saul had no good deeds to present to God other than murder and persecution of the saints. All he could do was to freely and without merit receive divine grace, even though he was qualified only for death and hell. The disturbed Saul mumbled the words: “Who are you, Lord?” He did not call him “Master”, or “great Angel”, but knew that the speaker was God Himself, and thus called him “Lord”. Saul’s words signified a trembling, weak, and modest prayer for the revelation of the name of God. He desired to know who the speaker was being manifested in this great light. In the midst of destructive judgment Saul felt exceeding grace, for he had frightfully dared to speak to God.
The Lord answered His enemy. He did not break him, but answered his prayer, and blessed him. Christ’s words to Saul meant that the Lord had had mercy on the wicked one. He was gracious enough to reveal His will to him in understandable words. These words purified and justified Saul, and became the foundation for his future life and ministry.
Jesus revealed his essence with the unique word “I am”. “Poor Saul, you small, demon-possessed, confused man. I am present and living. I have risen from the dead. I am Jesus, and not a ghost or a lie. I have not disintegrated away in the tomb, but am the Lord of glory, standing personally before you, knowing your every good intent. Your mind has been overwhelmed because of your religious hatred. You cannot comprehend Me because of your abominable fanaticism. You persecute Me, who has defeated death and prevailed over hell, thinking yourself to be serving God”. This is the terrible truth, even today, that all who persecute Jesus Christ are really worshiping Satan, for the living Jesus sits at the right hand of God the Father. All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Him.
Undoubtedly Christ´s appearance and words to the boastful Saul broke his trust in himself and in his righteousness as a Pharisee. He declared to him that He who had been crucified is now living, and is the center of the universe. He does not destroy His enemies, but gives them grace upon grace. He is one complete unit, together with His church, which is filled with the Holy Spirit. These three principles, which were declared to Saul in one, short moment, are still the pillars of our faith in the New Testament: 1) Christ’s resurrection, 2) His grace rendered at the cross, and 3) His living church filled with the Holy Spirit. Are you, dear brother, dear sister, in full harmony with these three pillars, or do you oppose the Spirit and the truth of Christ? If so, then the Lord is saying to you, too: “Is it hard for you to kick against the goads of God? You will suffer much for your opposition to the truth and the life.”
PRAYER: We worship You, our glorious, merciful Lord, for You did not destroy Saul, but were merciful to him. You are living and present with us now. Please reveal Yourself to all those who seek You, and save all the religious zealous who persecute Your church with presumed good intent, not knowing their fault. We magnify Your name, for You are one with Your beloved church.
QUESTION:
- What did Christ’s appearance in glory to Saul mean to the latter?