September 14, 2025

Jesus put a stop to Saul’s merciless mission! How? By showing him mercy. As Saul was on the road to Damascus, “suddenly a light from heaven shone around him” (Acts 9:3). The light was so bright that Saul fell to the ground. And as he looked up, he “heard a voice saying to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’” (9:4). Saul had no idea who was talking, so he asked, “Who are you?” (9:5). If the sudden bright light wasn’t surprising enough, what he heard next must have blown his sandals off. The voice said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.” Wow! Do you know what that meant? It meant that Jesus was alive! It meant that Jesus was part of his church and feels his people’s pain. It meant that Saul was dead wrong.

Before Saul could say anything, Jesus gave a command to go into the city. Now this was tricky because God’s bright light had blinded Saul. So he had to be led there. Also, as a way of saying sorry for all he had done, Saul fasted from food and drink. As Saul was waiting to hear from the Lord, God spoke to a man named Ananias (not the guy who died because he lied). He told this other Ananias where to find Saul. His job was to “lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight” (9:12). Ananias was afraid. “Lord,” he said, “he is a bad man who has come to persecute your people.” God assured him that Saul was now a different man. Well, he was the same man, but he now had a new heart. He also had a new mission. Instead of persecuting the church, he would preach the gospel. As Ananias touched Saul, Saul regained his sight, was filled with the Spirit, and was baptized. (Oh and he also had something to eat.) Once his strength returned, do you know what he did? He immediately preached that Jesus is the Son of God (see v. 20). Wow! If God can save Saul, he can save anyone!