The Journey...

I've been reading through the book of Acts lately. Today I was in chapter 9. Before I began exploring Acts I read a bit on the historical background behind it, and some referred to this book as the The Acts of the Holy Spirit, which I think is probably most accurate. It's amazing to observe the change in the disciples once the Holy Spirit of Christ (Romans 8:9, Galatians 4:6) enters them personally following Christ's physical return to His Father as recorded in Acts 1. Less than two months ago Peter was denying Jesus and hiding in the bushes, along with the other 11. Now, he's an unstoppable preaching machine fighting fire with fire (Acts 4:20, 5:29,40-42). Why? He's got the Holy Spirit of Christ inside. Oh yeah!

In Acts 9, which I read today, what strikes me about this familiar account of Saul's conversion is Jesus. I know, big surprise. I love how the chapter opens up with "Meanwhile...". While Philip has been blazing the Gospel trail in Samaria and other places there's been this other guy, Saul, out destroying this new Jesus movement called the Way, which is Jesus' church (8:3). Saul was feared by many of these Jesus followers, and for good reason (9:13,14,26, 22:4,5,19,20).

So, we continue on in chapter 9 and find Saul, the Church Destroyer, on his horse heading to Damascus to do some serious Jesus people persecution. Jesus' followers lived in fear of this guy. Now keep in mind, Saul thought he was doing God a favor by all of this. Can't you just see Saul? He's ready and rarin' to find some Jesus people, throw them in the slammer, maybe even have another stoning like Stephen. But something happens. What? JESUS SHOWS UP! O man, I love that!

As I read this again this morning I got to thinking that many times this account becomes about Saul's conversion, which it obviously records, and we analyze the details of that, but honestly, I think this has to do more with Jesus. Saul enters this scene as the main man, but by verse 5 he's knocked off his horse, blind, and begging for mercy. Why? Jesus showed up! This is about Jesus. As he sits on his backside Saul lifts his head into the blinding light and says, "Who are you?" The response? "I am Jesus". Again, ya gotta love that.

The rest of the chapter just confirms that this whole account is more about Jesus, not Saul. Jesus stops Saul. Jesus tells Saul who He is and what to do. Jesus speaks to Ananias to go see Saul. Jesus is the message of Saul's preaching. Later in the chapter Peter gives the credit to Jesus as the Healer, and so on.

Let's not forget that the people of Jesus were afraid of Saul...until Jesus showed up. I love how verse 31 reads about the church "living in the fear of the Lord". No more fear of Saul, but now a healthy awe - of Jesus.

Jesus loves His Bride, His Church, so much so that He died for it (Acts 20:28). He stepped in and showed up in Saul's life to protect His Bride, remind His Church that He's in charge, and proved it by turning Saul from Church Destroyer into Paul, Jesus Proclaimer. Only Jesus can do that. That's the power of Jesus. That's King Jesus. That's the same Jesus who has put His Spirit in me giving me that same boldness to carry His name wherever I am (Acts 9:15).

I believe Luke records here in Acts 9 a living example for Jesus' Church of how the 'fear of man will prove to be a snare, but he who trusts in the Lord will be kept safe' (Proverbs 29:25).

Just something to think about.