Morning PJ,
Guess what I started to read….Acts! I love that because I feel like Jesus was preparing me for the feast he served us Sunday morning. I sat there with my heart ringing, and saying “wow” to Jesus because the feelings I have had reading Acts were amplified, hearing what you and Jesus wrote! Jesus got me ready to hear it!
So this morning as I am reading in chapter 9, I had to write because it is so good!
Acts 9
- Now Saul, still breathing out threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, approached the high priest
- and asked him for letters to the Damascus synagogues, that if he found any of the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.
Saul ( before he was Paul) was threatening to murder the disciples. And who did he take those threats to but the high priest. This is what is happening before Jesus blinds him on the road. Wow!
- And in his journey, as he was drawing near to Damascus, a light from heaven suddenly shone around him.
- And he fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul! Saul! Why do you persecute me?”
- And he said, “Who are you, sir?” And the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.”
- And he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do you want me to do?” And the Lord said to him, “Just rise up and go into the city, and it will be told you what you must do.”
- And the men traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice, but seeing no one.
- Then Saul got up from the ground. And though his eyes were open, he saw no one, and they, leading him by the hand, brought him to Damascus.
- And he remained without sight for three days, and neither ate nor drank.
I love that Jesus gave Saul witnesses to what he heard. They led him by his hand. I wonder what the conversations between them sounded like. They were traveling with him as he went to find and bind God’s people. I wonder if Jesus let it change their hearts too? I wonder what they said to each other on that road!
- Now, there was a certain disciple in Damascus named Ananias, and the Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias!” And he said, “Here I am, Lord!”
- Then the Lord said to him, “Rise up and go to the street that is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for one named Saul, of Tarsus. Behold, he is praying.
- And he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hand on him so that he might see again.”
- But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he did to your saints in Jerusalem.
- And even here, he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call upon your name!”
- But the Lord said to him, “Go! This man is my chosen vessel, to bear my name before nations and kings and the sons of Israel,
- and I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”
I wonder if Jesus telling Ananias that Jesus was going to show him how much he would suffer for his name, helped Ananias go find Saul?
- Then Ananias departed and entered into the house, and laid his hands on him, saying, “Brother Saul, the Lord who appeared to you on the road as you were coming, has sent me so that you might see again and be filled with holy Spirit.”
- And immediately, some thing like scales fell from his eyes, and he saw again. Then he arose and was baptized,
- and he took food and was strengthened. And Saul was with the disciples in Damascus certain days,
- And right away, he began preaching Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.
Verse 17 brought tears to my eyes and made me repent for thinking Ananias might have been relieved knowing Saul was gonna get a whooping from Jesus. Ananias called Saul “brother” and told him, “Jesus sent me so you can see again and be filled with His spirit.” That feels so tender to me. I want to meet Ananias one day.
And immediately Paul (I don’t want to call him Saul anymore; he has a new heart now!) was baptized and ate (and I bet rejoiced in awe) with the disciples. It says he was with them “certain days.” I am imagining the feelings, tears, and conversations they must have had. These were real brothers feeling real things together. Like we do when Jesus touches someone. I don’t think I have ever loved Acts more, PJ!
- All who heard were amazed, and they said, “Isn’t this the man who made havoc of those in Jerusalem who call upon this name and who came here to bind them and take them to the chief priests?”
- But Saul was all the more strengthened, and he confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus, proving that Jesus was the Messiah.
- And after many days had passed, the Jews plotted among themselves to kill him,
- but their plot was made known to Saul. Then they began to watch the gates closely, day and night, so that they might kill him.
The Jews absolutely wanted to kill Paul. They even set up watch, trying to get him. It didn’t take long for that spirit to recognize God’s spirit and want it gone!
As much as I hate to stop here, I need to go to work. This is so good to stop and take in! I agree with LeeAnn that, surely, Paul would hug your neck! Have a good day! I’m sure going to!
Beth
Comments welcome:
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