Little known by him, this was only the beginning of Saul’s “Road to Damascus”. Saul—the threatener, the murderer—was set on a crusade to stop the tyranny and hypocrisy brought on by Jesus of Nazareth. But the Lord intervened in a way that not even the disciples would have expected. As we will see in the coming passages this week, Saul is changed by this encounter with Jesus. His sight is removed, but for a purpose.

A parallel encounter is displayed by Jesus following the healing of a blind man: “Jesus said, ‘For judgment I came into this world, that those who do not see may see, and those who see may become blind” [John 9.39]. The Lord has a sweet purpose in removing the sight that blinds us. Saul was left with an obligation and desire unfulfilled. It was only in that moment of blindness that he could truly see the light displayed in its full array.

Where does this leave us? Are we bystanders in this story? For the Christian, this is a biography—a telling of our own transformation from Christ’s intervention. The Lord took it upon himself to remove the things in each of our lives which blinded us: possibly rage against someone else, guilt from our past, sorrow from the thing that could have been. Maybe the Lord just opened up space for you to be present in a world full of busyness. As we will see in the coming daily passages this week, the Lord’s purpose for Saul was much less about the removal of sight and much more about the opening of his eyes…

[Acts 9.1-9]

9.1 But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 3 Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. 4 And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” 5 And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 6 But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” 7 The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. 8 Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. 9 And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

[ WHAT ] is this passage saying and what is a key truth or thought that we learn?

+ Why was Saul going to Damascus?

+ Is there significance in Saul responding to the Lord by name? [v. 5]

+ Why do you think Saul neither ate nor drank for three days after his encounter with the Lord?

[ HOW ] is the Lord calling me to action/obedience?

+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?

+ How did Jesus intervene in your life? What changed since then?

[ WHO ] am I walking with and praying for to discover Jesus?

+ What is my next step?

+ Who in your life seems so entrenched in their obligation and desires that they miss the Lord on display? Consider how they might notice the Lord through your actions and words.