I write about Stuff

“As he was approaching Damascus on this mission, a light from heaven suddenly shone down around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, ‘Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?’” —Acts 9:3–4 NLT

The story of Stephen’s stoning contains a curious footnote: “His accusers took off their coats and laid them at the feet of a young man named Saul” (Acts 7:58 NLT). That young man was Saul of Tarsus. After participating in Stephen’s execution, Saul quickly gained a reputation as one of the fiercest persecutors of the early church.

Saul was fiercely proud of his Jewish heritage and deeply committed to the traditions of his faith. When he saw followers of Jesus—a man he believed to be a false teacher—spreading what he considered dangerous ideas, he made it his mission to stop them. Acts 8:3 tells us, “Saul was going everywhere to destroy the church. He went from house to house, dragging out both men and women to throw them into prison” (NLT). Acts 9:1 adds that he was “eager to kill the Lord’s followers.”

Saul was a man driven by religious extremism. His identity was rooted in his strict interpretation of the law. He was rigid, confident, and seemingly unchangeable.

Until he encountered the risen Christ.

On the road to Damascus, intent on arresting Christians, Saul was stopped by a blinding light and a voice from heaven. Jesus Himself confronted him. That moment shattered Saul’s assumptions and redirected the entire course of his life.

Blinded, Saul was led to the home of Ananias—a believer who had every reason to fear him. But God had already spoken to Ananias, revealing that Saul was His chosen instrument. Saul regained his sight, was filled with the Holy Spirit, and was baptized. Immediately, he began proclaiming that Jesus was the Son of God. His former allies were stunned. His new brothers and sisters in Christ were cautious. But Saul’s transformation was undeniable.

As he traveled throughout Gentile regions, he began using his Roman name, Paul. He endured imprisonment, beatings, stoning, and hardship for the sake of the gospel. Yet he never wavered. He considered it an honor to suffer for Christ. Paul was eventually executed in Rome around AD 66—but not before God used him to shape the course of Christian history.

Paul’s life is a powerful testimony to the transforming power of the risen Christ. Jesus can redeem any story. He offers forgiveness, healing, purpose, and hope. Through the Holy Spirit, He guides us, comforts us, convicts us, and empowers us to use our gifts for His glory.

Jesus lets us start again.

Question for reflection:

How has Jesus transformed your life or the lives of people you know?