WEEK 4
This series of “Thoughts for the Day” is inspired by the study series, NOTORIOUS, written by Jeff Lucas. He and Pastor Brent discuss 9 different characters from the Bible who we would possibly call rogues, scoundrels or scallywags. Each one however can teach us something of our faith.
SAUL the PERSECUTOR – Saul became Paul after he met Jesus on the road to Damascus. Saul was a devote Jew. He was a Pharisee, a religious leader and was enthusiastic to say the least. He authorized the imprisonment and even torture and death of Christians, witnessing first-hand the stoning of Stephen. He sought out followers of Jesus and handed them over to the Jewish leaders.
Yet as he set out on the road to Damascus with letters to the leaders of the synagogues, authorizing him to take any of Jesus’ followers as prisoners and return with them to Jerusalem, he was quite literally stopped in his tracks.
Jesus appeared to him personally, and told him to get up and continue into the city of Jerusalem. Once he was there a man named Ananias was sent to meet him.
Saul’s reputation as a cruel and frenzied persecutor had travelled before him, and Ananias was understandably a bit worried about meeting with this man. However, God had given him a job to do and Ananias dutifully obeyed.
Saul the persecutor became Paul the Apostle. Paul was the Roman equivalent of Saul, and God’s message of transformation, Jewish or Gentile, was for all people everywhere.
Saul was the worst of men who became Paul, the best of men. God demonstrated how anyone can be transformed.
Just as an ugly chrysalis is transformed into a beautiful butterfly, so God can bring about what might seem like impossible change.
Have you seen that transformation in yourself or in others?
How would you react if you were in Ananias position – anxious, sceptical, or accepting?
PRAYER: Almighty God, you have the power to make big changes in us. May we allow your Holy Spirit to work in us to bring about that change. And when we see that change in others, help us to be accepting and obedient to your will. AMEN