Stephen had been murdered for sharing the truth. The apostles had been scattered throughout the region. Philip was converting and baptizing people. The gospel was gaining ground. And there was Saul, desperately trying to stop it!
Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord. – Acts 9:1
Saul was a religious zealot. He grew up knowing God, but in his diligent study and fastidious law following, he missed the truth about the coming Messiah. Now he was persecuting the very Savior he had been eagerly waiting for.
“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.” – Acts 9:5
Saul heard the disciples’ stories about all Jesus had said and done. He heard the many testimonies of Jesus’ resurrection. He heard the gospel as he watched Stephen preach before he was martyred. But none of these persuasive speeches or impassioned pleas got through his stubborn heart. It was only an encounter with the risen Savior that finally changed Saul’s life.
On a trip to Damascus to capture and imprison Christians, Saul met Jesus, and everything changed! He went from relentlessly persecuting the followers of Christ to being sent out to preach the very Gospel he had fought against. Saul’s transformation story is an incredible reminder that Jesus can save anyone.
As we proclaim the Good News of the gospel and live lives that prove we believe it, seeds are being sown. But ultimately, it is only Jesus who can open the eyes of the blind, break through hardened hearts, and transform lives!
We must pray for lost people to have a life-changing encounter with Jesus.
But the people’s minds were hardened, and to this day whenever the old covenant is being read, the same veil covers their minds so they cannot understand the truth. And this veil can be removed only by believing in Christ. Yes, even today when they read Moses’ writings, their hearts are covered with that veil, and they do not understand. But whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. – 2 Corinthians 3:14-16 NLT
