Slices
Prepare
Saul was young and zealous, a rising star in Judaism. Not only did he persecute followers of Jesus in Jerusalem, but he also sought permission to chase them across national borders. What would get his attention? How does God get your attention?
Bible passage
Saul’s conversion
9 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. 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 travelling 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.
Explore
Saul of Tarsus was a young disciple of Gamaliel – a wise and moderate leader among the Jews (see Acts 5:34–40). But Saul was the rising star and wanted to come out from Gamaliel’s shadow. A violent persecution campaign against the followers of Jesus would help young Saul make a reputation for himself.
What is the worst thing that could happen to the chief antagonist of the followers of Jesus? Surely it would be a personal encounter with the risen Jesus himself? That is what happened to Saul. As the bright light from heaven flashed so brilliantly that he fell to the ground, blinded, he cried out to ask who was speaking to him. ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting’ (v 5) was not the response he could have anticipated!
It must have been startling to discover that all these targets for persecution who spoke of a resurrected Jesus were telling the truth! Saul was humbled and so startled that he spent the next three days without eating or drinking a thing.
Respond
There could be no more stunning confrontation for Saul than encountering the risen Jesus himself. Indeed, there could be no more stunning confrontation for any of us. Imagine how you would respond if you suddenly met the risen Jesus!
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Hosea 7,8; Psalms 137,138
Pray for Scripture Union
Pray for the team who have just started at SU Mission Partner Ice in Exeter – Sally Naylor, Doug Owen and Jess Warner. Praise God for the annual Narnia event for primary schools reaching 400 pupils. Pray for the team as they prepare Christmas assemblies and videos for primary and secondary schools.
