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Jesus appeared on the Road to Damascus

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At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. All those who heard him were astonished and asked, "Isn't he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name? And hasn't he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?" Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Christ. Acts 9:20-22[NIV]

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Some men stood around one person and began to say very hush words to him and then they started to throw stones at him. Perhaps this person had committed a big crime. In Israel, blaspheming to God or having committed a very bad sin meant being stoned to death.

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How serious or bad had he committed that he was killed in this way?

Do you know who he is?

He is Deacon Stephen. He did not do anything bad.

He only preached the word of God and the people disliked it.

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So they killed him.

Among the people, a person called Saul who was guarding the clothes; he thought it was a natural thing for Deacon Stephen to be killed.

Saul really hated people who believed in Jesus.

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Upon seeing Deacon Stephen killed, those who believed in Jesus went away from Jerusalem to different places, because they were afraid. There were also many people who went to very far countries.

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Saul wanted to kill the Christians even following them to the end of the earth. So he went to the high priest and requested to let him capture the Christians. The high priest permitted Saul’s request because he also thought the Christians were a problem.

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Having permission, Saul together with his army, ran to Damascus where a lot of Christians lived together.

Ah! Then a strange thing happened.

Suddenly a very strong light flashed upon Saul.

And a voice was heard in the light.

“Saul, Saul why are you persecuting me?”

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Saul spoke.

“I don’t know you. Who are you?”

Then as before, it spoke.

“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.”

Saul was surprised and he bowed down to the ground.

Jesus continued speaking to Saul.

“From now on, you will fulfill my mission. When you enter the house, there will be somebody who will tell you your mission.” But this sight was seen only to Saul.

Before that time Saul did not think that Jesus was the son of God nor did he believe that Jesus rose from the grave.

Yet, after Jesus appeared to Saul, from that time on Saul believed in Jesus.

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After that happening, Saul became blind.

His men took Saul to a nearby horse. For four days Saul was not able to eat and he was also not able to see.

Will Saul be able to see again?

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There was a very faithful person living in Damascus, where Saul tried to go, and his name was Ananias.

He saw a vision while praying.

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In the vision, Jesus appeared and spoke to him.

“Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. In a vision he has seen you come and place his hands on him to restore his sight."

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Ananias answered,

“Lord, Saul is a bad man who is trying to kill us.”

The Lord replied to Ananias,

"Go! This man is chosen to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings. I will tell him about it.”

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Ananias was afraid but he obeyed the Lord’s words and he went to Straight Street to find Saul.

He found Saul at that place.

Ananias prayed sincerely,

“Brother Saul! The Lord-Jesus you met on the way coming here has sent me to fill you with the Holy Spirit and restore your sight.”

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“Brother Saul, now open your eyes and look at me.”

Surprisingly, after the prayer, Saul was able to see.

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After experiencing the Lord-Jesus, Saul’s life became totally different.

To many people he proclaimed to them about the Jesus he met.

Those who haven’t met Jesus can’t proclaim about Jesus to others.

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At first, Saul persecuted Christians and even killed them but after meeting Jesus, Saul became a totally different person. Just like this, those who meet Jesus live a totally converted or changed life. Let’s become children of faith who believe Jesus full heartedly and those who proclaim the word of God like the changed Saul did.