Saul of Tarsus

"And all who heard him were amazed and said, “Is not this the man who made havoc in Jerusalem of those who called upon this name? And has he not come here for this purpose, to bring them bound before the chief priests?” (Acts 9:21).

The answer to both statements is yes!  The crowd has perceptively described Saul of Tarsus and his schemes.  Saul of Tarsus was a witness to the Spirit filled testimony of Stephen.  He was among the crowd who gnashed their teeth at Stephen's vision of Christ in heaven. He approved of his murder and then he made it his mission to spread terror among the followers of Christ.  He even convinced the high priest of the Sadducee to make him a chief representative in the persecution of Jesus followers.  In his own words, "I persecuted the followers of the Way to their death, arresting both men and women and throwing them into prison"  (Acts 22:4).  He breathed hate (9:1).  This is the man Saul of Taurus.  

Then there is the man Saul in Damascus.  He is characterized by immediate and bold preaching (Acts 9:20).   He faces death threats in both Damascus and Jerusalem for the boldness and power of his testifying.  He cannot contain his desire to proclaim that Jesus is "indeed the Son of God"  (9:20) and is willing to both live and die for this truth.  

So what happened to Saul of Tarsus?  What would alter his character and life so completely? 

 Remember, he had already heard the gospel from the lips of Stephen.  He was unchanged; in fact he was zealous to persecute.  The Bible shows no wavering or deliberation in terms of Saul's heart.  He had made it his mission to stamp out the followers of Jesus and he was pursuing this desire with increased passion and fervor.  

What knocked Saul off the trajectory of his life, also knocked him to the ground as he journeyed on the road to Damascus.  

 There can be no other claim:  Christ changed Saul.  Christ met Saul on the road.  He left him blind to be led like a helpless child.  Christ claimed him as His "chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and the kings, as well as to the people of Israel" (9:15). Saul makes no utterances, no eloquent statements throughout his experience. When Saul is healed and filled with the Holy Spirit, he rises and is baptized. Saul is simply changed. 

 Christ claimed a man whose mission was to destroy God's people; He then gives that same man HIS mission to spread His salvation and His glory to the ends of the earth.  What a glorious God that he would redeem and commission even His persecutors.  The same beautiful gift of salvation is offered to us:  "For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.  For one will scarcely die for a righteous person-though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die- but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us"  (Romans 5:6-8).