Acts 9:3-6 3Now, it happened, as he was going on his way and coming near Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him, 4and falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” 5And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 6But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.”
The zealous Saul, bent on stopping the movement of heretics known as the Way, was on his six-day journey to Damascus. These verses reveal in brief fashion the vision he had on the road as he neared the city. Luke records two other times when Paul (as he went by later) recounts his vision, and these other passages give the time of day as around noon (22:6; 26:13). The sun was high in the sky, but the light that shone on Saul was even greater than the sun. This light came from heaven, even beyond the sun. God’s presence is often described as an unapproachable light, too overwhelming for human vision. Obviously, this light was no dream but overwhelming to Saul. He did not fall off his horse or donkey, if he was riding one, or stumble over a rock. The only response he could give was to fall down in fear and awe.
The voice responded with Saul’s name, stated twice for emphasis and to get his attention. This voice knew his name and knew everything about him. He could not hide behind his religious claims or knowledge. When God appears, our thoughts and motives are exposed. Saul’s response is surprising in that it should have been obvious that the voice was divine in origin. He was confused by the idea that he had been persecuting the voice. He thought he was doing God’s work by persecuting the followers of Jesus, and now, a voice was claiming he was persecuting the person speaking. Saul knew the Old Testament stories, such as Moses’ encounter with God at the burning bush. Voices and bright lights do not occur every day but only at key points in history when God speaks to a person for a special reason. Saul should have known God was speaking, hinted at by his use of Lord (kyrie). Was his question out of ignorance, fear, or surprise, not knowing what to say?
The voice’s response forever changed Saul’s life and brought many things together in his thinking. The one Saul had been persecuting was Jesus. Several significant insights came to Saul instantly and possibly over time. First, and most significant, is that Jesus was divine, God himself. Everything the Christians had claimed about Jesus was true. Second, Saul realized that Jesus of Nazareth was alive, resurrected and ascended, as the Christians claimed. This point had a significant impact on his theology, as indicated in 1 Corinthians 15. Third, the voice made a significant connection between himself and the church. To persecute the church was to persecute Jesus. The church as the body of Christ would have a big influence on how Saul would do ministry in the future. Jesus gave Saul simple directions that would be a test of Saul’s faith and resolve. As a changed man, he would meet the very people he came to persecute.
For older posts, click here.