And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way [road] as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.
The Change Christ Brings published week of February 7, 2021
Can you imagine what it was like for Saul to be blind and waiting to hear from Jesus again? I am sure he was nervous, maybe even terrified, of the unknown. He was probably thinking about all of the Christians he had a part in persecuting and killing. He probably thought of the hateful words and blasphemy he had spoken . . . all of this and more as he waited in complete darkness. Saul did not know if he would ever get his physical sight to return. All he knew was that on that dusty road to Damascus, he met Christ, the Son of the Living God.
Saul was a devout Jew, who was very educated and respected in his community but now he was no longer around those to whom he knew best. Saul’s world had been turned upside down. As a Pharisee, he was passionate about what he believed . . . but he was passionately wrong. Saul was in “uncharted waters” and would likely find some extreme differences in what he believed and in Whom he lived for. Of all the people God could have chosen to carry the Gospel to the Gentiles, why Saul the murderer?
God was giving mankind a powerful object lesson in selecting Saul. His life was being changed and this would demonstrate that new life is possible in Jesus Christ. As the Holy Spirit filled this former persecutor of Christ, the scales fell from his eyes and he became a new man with a new Lord and a new purpose and passion. He would go from being the persecutor to now being the persecuted. He would be hunted, imprisoned, mocked, hated and eventually killed for the sake of the Gospel.
God knows what He is doing and He had a plan for Saul’s life. At the perfect time, He removed the scales of unbelief from his eyes and gave him His Spirit to empower and guide his life. From the time God’s Spirit filled this new man, he lived to know Christ. Everything he did was to advance the Kingdom of God and to glorify God's holy Name.
The same Holy Spirit that brought new life to Saul, that later made him Paul, wants to do the same for you and me. If God chose to redeem a man such as Saul, surely, He will use you in mighty ways if you will only surrender to His will.
“Dear God, I am often blind to Your glory. Please forgive me for when I place my eyes on the things of this world and off of You. Fill me with Your Spirit and change my heart. Use me to further Your Kingdom today. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”
