Transformed Through Truly Knowing Christ
Scripture Passage: Acts 9:19b-25 (NASB)
19 Now for several days he was with the disciples who were in Damascus, 20 and immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.” 21 All those hearing him continued to be amazed, and were saying, “Is this not the one who in Jerusalem destroyed those who called on this name, and had come here for the purpose of bringing them bound before the chief priests?” 22 But Saul kept increasing in strength and confounding Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that this Jesus is the Christ.
23 When many days had elapsed, the Jews plotted together to do away with him, 24 but their plot became known to Saul. They were also closely watching the gates day and night so that they might put him to death; 25 but his disciples took him at night and let him down through an opening in the wall, lowering him in a large basket.
SUMMARY
After regaining vision from the prayer from Ananias, Saul stayed with the disciples in Damascus and immediately began to proclaim Jesus in synagogues saying, “He is the Son of God.” Those hearing him preach recognized him as the one who used to persecute Christians in Jerusalem, and that he also came to Damascus for the purpose of bringing them to the chief priests. As Saul kept preaching, “Jesus is the Christ,” the Jews plotted to kill him. However, he was able to escape Damascus with the help of the disciples.
REFLECTION
Saul, the one who was breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord and the believers, is now preaching Jesus as “the Son of God” and “the Christ” in today’s text. Talk about radical transformation and the irony of fate. After encountering Jesus on the road to Damascus and realizing that he indeed was persecuting the very Lord, Saul is now able to see the truth. He was blinded by self-righteousness, pride, religiosity, but now sees Jesus as the true messiah. It must’ve been so hard to believe such transformation for both sides alike--those who were being persecuted and those who hated Christians and persecuted them. However, those disciples and believers who knew Saul as “he who in Jerusalem destroyed those who called on Jesus’ name,” (v. 21) accepted him, and in fact helped him escape the city against the Jews’ plot to kill him. If such radical transformation of Saul was not wholeheartedly accepted by the disciples, there wouldn’t have been the Paul (Saul) that we know today.
Today’s text reminded me of my transformation. I grew up in a Christian family. Although I cannot say that our family was devout, going to church on Sundays was a norm and we had pridefully identified ourselves as Christians. Growing up in a Christian environment doesn’t necessarily mean that you “know” the Christ though. Just like how Saul grew up as Jews but failed to “know” Jesus as the true savior up until Jesus personally met him, I think I was also blinded to truly “know” Christ as my Lord up until later days of my life. It was actually after I got married that I began to really dive into the Words and came to “know” the Christ. It was as if I had the head knowledge of Jesus prior to it, but then painfully understood who pierced the nails on his hands and feet during that time. That was me. I was ignorant in my sins, and it was my sin that put Jesus on that cross. I was heartbroken and also beyond grateful for his unconditional love for me. I think it was then when he finally took the rightful place in my heart and I accepted him to be my Lord--the owner of my life. I think the true transformation started then… I began to notice that things that used to excite me--the worldly pleasure--was not that exciting anymore. There was growing yearning to gather with fellow Christians for bible studies and prayer time than to have social gatherings. As I drew closer to Jesus, he personally met me through countless ups and downs of my life. Just as Saul who personally met Jesus which transformed his life, I also had to personally meet Jesus as my Lord and savior to bring true transformation in my life.
APPLICATION
Today’s text also brings me so much hope for the ones that I’m praying for salvation. Saul, who was so strongly fixated on his belief that it was blasphemy to believe Jesus as the Son of God is now preaching that he is! Jesus is the one who stopped Saul on the road to Damascus and met him, not Saul seeking Jesus. When Jesus appeared in Ananias vision, he said “Go, for he is the chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel.” (Acts 9:15) God chose Saul while he was still drowning in his sin to persecute believers. I’m realizing once again that even the faith that we have is the gift from God. I will pray with more fervency that God will one day open the heart of my loved ones to accept Christ as their Lord and the savior.
PRAYER
Lord,
Thank you for coming into my life and opening my eyes to see the truth.
Before meeting you personally, I was ignorant in my sin and blinded to see who really is the Lord over my life. I was following idols, believing in the lies of the enemy that what I was pursuing will give me happiness and prosperity. Thank you for personally meeting me in my dark place, and bringing me into your light. Lord, my prayer is to “know” you more. Once Saul realized who you really are, there was no turning back. He boldly preached and pursued only things that you desired in his life. Lord, lead me as well. Help my spirit be strengthened. “I pray also that the eyes of my heart may be enlightened in order that I may know the hope to which he has called me, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints.” (Ephesians 1:18)
In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
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