Saul, later Paul, is a major contributor for most of the New Testament within the Holy Bible. His letters, life, and exemplified ministry, all individually and combined, point directly to God. Though Saul's start as a Pharisee may have created its own challenge (being that Pharisee's are usually referred to as hypocrites when Jesus was addressing them), creating an even deeper wedge was Saul's history of hunting down Christians.
When we are first formally introduced to Saul, we are told that he is on a road to Damascus in search of Christians. With authority given by the Sanhedrin, it is easy to think of Saul as more or less a bounty hunter for the Religious Counsel that Jesus directly debated often. He was searching for, arresting and giving testimony against Christians. Saul's goal was to persecute all Christians for blaspheming against God, speaking as though Jesus was the Son of Man, among other charges. That conviction of blaspheme was an obvious clash with Jesus' ministry. Though Christ has already been crucified, Saul has a direct conflict with Jesus that is captured within the Bible.
2and 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. 3And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: 4and he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? Acts 9:2-4 KJV
Though our today comparison seems accurate for Saul's life as a bounty hunter, the accused and their judgements before the counsel were usually concluded similarly to that of Jesus' suffering. With the presence of Jesus, like the arcing flash of a welder to the naked eye, Saul's eyes swell shut, blinding him. The momentum knocking Saul to his knees, Jesus questions Saul's actions against Him. Later, in Paul's description of this (we are currently reading through Luke's), Paul says that those with him saw the light in this moment, but the voice was only heard by Paul.
This should be a confirmation to every believer that Jesus dwells within you. Though Jesus has been crucified by this point in the Bible, Jesus stops Saul and asks why Saul is persecuting Him. Therefore, Jesus is saying He is a part of them that Saul has been persecuting.
Not only does Jesus change Saul's sight, but He also changes Saul's life.
18and saw him saying unto me, Make haste, and get thee quickly out of Jerusalem: for they will not receive thy testimony concerning me. 19And I said, Lord, they know that I imprisoned and beat in every synagogue them that believed on thee: 20and when the blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting unto his death, and kept the raiment of them that slew him. Acts 22:18-20 KJV
Saul himself questioned how Jesus could use him to share His ministry, confessing Saul's fears of everyone knowing his previous life fighting against Jesus. Not only was he beating and imprisoning those that believed Jesus, but some of which we have the account within the Bible of conviction. Saul shares that not only was he present for Stephen's blood being shed, but that Saul gave consent and kept the cloaks of those that held him responsible.
Stephen is well described as one of the first martyrs to publicly be convicted and killed in the name of Jesus. Just before Stephen is convicted, he stands in front of the entire Sanhedrin (think Supreme Court today in the United States of America in reference to the Jewish nation) and shares step-by-step how God has worked with His people, confirmed by their scrolls (our Old Testament). Abraham to Issacc, Jacob to Joseph, and finishing with Moses to Jesus, Stephen gives a passionate and powerful testimony regarding the Bible and God's work.
Stephen describes a lot of previous relationships with God and the initial message is well received. Stephen is described as having an angelic presentation when looked upon by those in attendance, at first. Just as quickly as Stephen won over the room, the perception is starkly changed in his closing remarks. Directed straight at those judging Stephen, he bluntly insults their integrity at their position.
51Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did , so do ye. 52Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers: 53who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it . 54When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth. 55But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, 56and said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God. Acts 7:51-56 KJV
When the first instance of a follower of Jesus was being judged and slain, Jesus showed His presence to His follower and allowed for Stephen to even be described as falling asleep when brutally killed. After being beaten and rocks thrown at him until his death, Stephen is met by Jesus, as promised. Consumed by the Holy Ghost, looking to Heaven while being rushed by those condemning him, Stephen saw Jesus.
Do not let that confirmation pass you by - Stephen was greeted at his death with Jesus showing Himself, removing Stephen from the feeling of that pain during the charge of those around him. Being filled with the Holy Ghost, the only cry that is shouted from Stephen was him seeing Jesus, the Son of Man, standing next to the Father, and later repenting for those that killed him.
And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep. and cast him out of the city, and stoned him : and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul. And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God , and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. Acts 7:58-60 KJV
Standing in attendance, you might notice to whom they lay the clothing down in front of. As a sign of testimony, they laid down their clothes at Saul's feet (read a good understanding of that custom by clicking here), vowing to share the whole truth of what happened during the incident.
Similar to Saul, still today, Jesus continues to change the hearts of those that aim to persecute Him. God's forgiveness is saturated with a love unlike any other, which I believe enlightens us to live a life exemplified by Jesus Christ's teachings, especially after hearing His ministry. Not only can Saul's story inspire us by trying to better understand God's ability to forgive, but that Saul's meeting with Jesus was after Jesus had been placed onto the cross, confirming resurrection. Let Saul's past be a gift to you of forgiveness, encouraging us to forgive, as Jesus shows us.
Please join me in prayer:
"Dear Heavenly Father, we ask your forgiveness for our sins. We are thankful for your ever-present work in our lives. Please encourage and embolden us to see you when looking on others. Allow for us to practice the forgiveness that you show, inspiring us to do likewise. Abundantly fill our lives with hope so that we may fill others, creating more joy within a world of need. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen."
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