In today’s reading we see Saul who had an encounter with Jesus Christ on his way to Damascus. His purpose was to threaten and destroy the disciples of the Lord Jesus. His introduction of himself is seen in Act 22:3: “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in (Rome) this city, educated at the feet of Gamaliel according to the strictness of the law of our fathers, being ardent and passionate for God just as all of you are today.” With such zeal, he was out not just to destroy the new followers of Christ, not just satisfied with the murder of the disciple Stephen but was now on his way to Damascus to arrest more followers of the Way. But the encounter changed Saul to a new man, who later became the Apostle Paul!

The Light of Jesus Enlightens

In Acts 9:3 we read, a light from heaven shone around him. This is the same light of Jesus explained in John 1:9: “ ….the true Light [the genuine, perfect, steadfast Light] which, coming into the world, enlightens everyone.” Jesus reveals himself to Saul and lets him know his rebellion against God was pointless- his actions were as senseless as an ox kicking “against the goads.” (Acts 26:14) Paul had passion and sincerity in his fight against Christianity, but he was not heading in the direction God wanted him to go; Jesus was going to steer Paul in the right direction.

When Jesus enlightens his heart, Saul surrenders his life to Christ as he spends three days in prayer. Jesus made it clear to Saul that he had gone his own way but now he was to become an instrument in the hands of the Master to do His will as He had foreordained it. The Lord Jesus commissioned him to carry the gospel: Acts 9:15 says, “…for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel.”  Later God used the Apostle not just to preach the gospel but explain it in many of the epistles that through Christ we have the victory over death which was the consequence of sin (1Corinthians 15).

Jesus Is the Light of the World

In John 8:12 while addressing the crowd, Jesus said, “I am the Light of the world. He who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.” In saying so, Jesus was claiming that He is the only source of spiritual light; the source of spiritual truth to mankind. There is no other source for the remission of sins – only the Blood of Jesus can cleanse us and make us holy and presentable to God.  Then you will know God’s will and purpose for you.
 

1 John 2:2[AMP] says: “And He [that same Jesus] is the propitiation for our sins [the atoning sacrifice that holds back the wrath of God that would otherwise be directed at us because of our sinful nature—our worldliness, our lifestyle]; and not for ours alone, but also for [the sins of all believers throughout] the whole world.”

Today this Light of Jesus is shining on you with its spiritual truth. Will you allow His light to enlighten you to know the will of God in your life?—Then you can be made holy and acceptable to God through Him!

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Think on it:

For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness,

who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory

of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 4:6