Unlikely Heroes in the New TestamentSample

Day 2: Apostle Paul

The context is the year 36 A.D. It’s three years after Jesus was crucified, and a ferociously angry, zealous, religious Pharisee named Saul of Tarsus aggressively marches down a dust filled Roman road towards Damascus. As the hot sun beats down upon his brow, the only thing flowing through his mind is a resounding animosity and resentment, a profound bitterness and hatred towards the followers of Jesus. To him, they embody a blasphemous sect that needed to simply be destroyed. And he took it upon himself to see their demise, defending Jewish tradition by imprisoning and killing early Christians.

Given this overview, to us Saul (later Paul) is perhaps the least likely person God would choose to spread the gospel. However, as he walked on the road to Damascus, Saul encountered a blinding light and heard the voice of Jesus asking, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?" (Acts 9:4). This moment marked the beginning of his transformation from Saul to Paul, a devoted apostle of Jesus Christ.

Every unlikely hero has a moment where they encounter the life changing power of Jesus. Afterwards, they are never the same. Their life changes. Their perspective about reality shifts. They walk with a new purpose and are set on fire to share the good news of Jesus Christ. For Paul, he was blinded by the light of Jesus, and was led to a disciple in Damascus, who, a few days later, prayed for his vision to be restored. After regaining his sight and being baptized, Paul immediately began preaching the gospel with fervor.

When looking at this sudden transformation, it is clear to see the fingerprints of God. For years after his encounter with Jesus, Paul's missionary journeys took him across the Roman Empire, where he established churches, mentored leaders, and wrote letters that form a significant part of the New Testament. Despite facing severe persecution, imprisonment, and hardship, Paul remained steadfast in his mission: to spread the gospel. God used Paul’s knowledge of the scriptures, his passion and zeal, and his determination and grit to take the gospel to the corners of the ancient world.

In fact, it's hard to overstate the contribution that Paul made on Christianity. His letters and teachings have profoundly shaped Christian theology and practice, and his life exemplifies the impact one person can have on advancing God’s kingdom.

Yet all this began on the road to Damascus, where God saw the potential of an unlikely hero and decided to act.

Key takeaway: God’s power can turn anyone around and set them on a course to glorify God through their lives.

Reflections: How have you encountered God’s transformational power? What gifts and talents has God put in you that you can use to advance God’s kingdom?