The Day Death Died: A Holy Week DevotionalSample

The Persecutor Turned Apostle

READ

But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” Acts 9:1–6

Additional Reading: Acts 9:7–19

REFLECT

Why did Jesus reveal Himself to Saul this way? Instead of an apostle going to Saul and preaching the gospel to him, Jesus revealed Himself to Saul on the road to Damascus and then used an ordinary disciple like Ananias. While it could be because of the immense purpose God had for Saul’s life, it may also be that Jesus brought Saul to the end of his rope to see his need for Christ. Saul, a Hellenistic Jew and a Pharisee of Pharisees, was so convinced he was right, but he was misguided. He was persecuting the church and doing everything in his power to prevent the gospel from spreading—to the point of killing the saints.

This post-resurrection, post-ascension story has several miracles: a revelation of Christ, blindness, salvation, and healing. Jesus took Saul’s actions as persecution directed at Him. And He needed Saul to know who he was going against. Saul had to be blinded and broken. He was blinded by a light from heaven, so that even if his eyes were open, he could see nothing. It was when Saul could not figure out what was happening that he found the answer to everything: Jesus. Jesus first blinded Saul before sending Ananias so he could regain his sight. Through these miracles, Saul finally saw Jesus for who He truly is.

The encounters in this chapter are telling of God’s heart and desire for people to know Him: Jesus with Saul, Jesus with Ananias, Ananias with Saul. While Saul never experienced Jesus’ earthly ministry and was not one of the Twelve, he encountered the Risen Christ. This is when Saul realized that his sight, life, and purpose are only found in Christ. And from a persecutor to an apostle to the nations, his life was never the same again.

RESPOND

• How did God reveal Himself to you? In the space provided or a separate space, write your salvation story and include details of people, places, and circumstances through which God worked. Thank God for how He has saved you and consider who you can share your salvation story with.
• If God spoke to you the way He did to Saul, how do you think you would respond? Who do you think God wants you to minister to and encourage to follow God? What can you do to serve this person this week?
• Reflect on some people you know who could be like Saul—with much influence and trying to please God, but have yet to encounter Him. List some people you can begin praying for who could be future apostle Pauls.