I AM: Complete Week Seven - Day Five: A Narrative of Saul’s Conversion

By Central Women

Saul was pretty tickled with himself. He had recently received approval from the high priest to head to Damascus; should he discover any followers of “the Way” on his journey he was permitted to take them as prisoners to Jerusalem.

All of his plans were coming together nicely. From the stoning of the first disciple, Stephen, until now, Saul had hatched murderous plans to put an end to “the Way” and anyone who claimed to be believers. He went home to home, dragging out men and women who were believers and put them in prison.

Now, he was on his way to his next self-appointed task. Damascus.

Life was pretty good. He was a devout Jewish man from the influential city, Tarsus. From a young age, he was sent to study under Gamaliel, one of the most famous and respected rabbis in history. He was schooled in classical literature, philosophy, and ethics. His life was full. Complete, you might say.

He was almost to Damascus when it happened. A bright light from heaven flashed around him.

Instinctively, he fell to the ground.

A voice boomed over him. “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”

“Who are you, Lord?” Saul questioned.

“I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting. Now get up and go into the city and you will be told what you must do.”

Thoughts and confusion filled Saul’s mind. How could this be?

The men traveling with Saul were speechless. They knew something happened, they heard the sound, but could not see anyone or where the voice had come from.

Still on the ground, Saul began to stand. When he opened his eyes he could see nothing; it felt as though his eyes needed to adjust from the bright light that flashed before him. He blinked and rubbed his eyes…still nothing. He could see nothing.

His companions took his hand and led him as they finished their three-day trek into Damascus.

They settled in the house of Judas, on Straight Street, and Saul prayed. It was all he knew to do.

He received a vision in his prayer, one so vivid he thought for a moment his sight had returned.

The Lord told him “a man named Ananias will come to you; he will lay hands on you and your sight will be restored.”

Soon Ananias arrived. Without delay, Ananias laid his hands on Saul.

“Brother Saul, the Lord – Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here – has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”

Instantly, fibers which looked like scales fell from Saul’s eyes. When he opened them, he could see.

How could this be? He tried to rationalize what was happening.

He was highly trained under Gamaliel in the law and Jewish beliefs. He was zealous for God. He was committed to ridding the world of Jewish defectors. It was an honor to be a Pharisee and an honor to be able to study Jewish law.

Now Jesus.

Jesus showed up and tipped Saul’s world upside down. Wealth and reputation, studies and the pursuit of justice. He thought he had it all. That his life was complete. That it couldn’t get any better. Now, it seemed as though something was missing the entire time.

How could he have been so foolish to miss it?

So, he had to act; he was baptized and stayed several days with the disciples who were in Damascus. He grew in confidence and testimony. He began to preach in the synagogues to all who would listen about Jesus, the son of God.

People were astonished. Isn’t this the man who has been traveling town to town, home to home arresting people who call on the name of Jesus? Is Saul really proclaiming the name of Jesus?

As the Jews in Damascus became more and more baffled, Saul became more and more confident. He preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus.

Saul’s life flipped upside down in the best way. He didn’t even know he had a Jesus-sized hole in his heart. Or that he was trying to fill it with money, prestige, and religious justice. Nothing could fill that hole but Jesus. Only Jesus.

Paul never forgot what happened on that dusty road to Damascus, and from that day forward lived knowing, he was now complete in Him.