Acts 9 – Saul’s World is Upside-Down
In Acts 9, we pick up a trail of bread crumbs that began in Acts 7:58, where the men who stoned Stephen laid their cloaks at Saul’s feet. And a few more bits in Acts 8:1-3, where Saul is in hearty agreement with putting Stephen to death and began dragging men and women to prison. As a result, a great persecution begins and Saul is at the forefront. Saul’s world is about to be turned upside-down.
This chapter highlights two future leaders of the early church: Saul, who will become Paul and be the leader of the Gentiles. And Peter, who will instrumental in the community of Jewish believers.
Personal Impact from Saul’s Story
This story of Saul impacted my life in a profound way at a time when I felt that God had set me on a shelf. Burnt out from doing too much and saying no too little, I was spent. My world has suddenly be turned upside-down. Instead of a fragrant offering, I became a burnt offering instead. Not much good to anyone, including my family. As a result I pulled back from serving and spent time hearing from God through His word.
The chapter begins, “Now Saul, still breathing threats and murder…” and obtains letters from the high priest to bring to Damascus so he can take followers of Jesus as prisoners.
Saul's zeal is misdirected, and Jesus interrupts his journey by knocking him to the ground. Join me in #Acts9 and #ReadGodsWordWithYourHeart Click To Tweet
He is zealous and a man on a mission—thinking he is doing the right thing. Yet, his zeal is misdirected, and in divine fashion, Jesus interrupts his journey by knocking him to the ground.
A Bright Light shines around them.
A Voice calls, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?”
His speechless travel companions hear the voice but see nothing.
Saul, clearly stunned, looks up from the dusty ground saying, “Who are you, Lord?”
Jesus’ Call to Saul – A Change In Focus
Saul, thinking he served a just cause, sought to destroy anyone who followed the Disrupter of Jewish tradition. Instead he meets King Jesus on the road that day.
As he rises from the ground, unable to see, his companions led him by the hand into the city. Blind for three days, he ate and drank nothing. I can only imagine thoughts that may have gone through his mind…
What just happened?
Where am I?
Am I a prisoner?
Who is this Jesus?
What have I done?
What will happen to me?
There’s More To The Story
Meanwhile, the Lord tells Ananias in a vision to go see a man named Saul of Tarsus and lay hands on him so he will regain his sight. Saul’s reputation precedes him and Ananias voices his concern because Saul has the authority to take prisoners for execution.
The Lord assures that Saul is His chosen vessel to bring the message to the Gentiles. So Ananias goes and lays hands on Saul. Something like scales fall from Saul’s eyes; he can see and is baptized.
This call of Saul is probably the most profound transformation in the Bible. A man who once breathed threats is now proclaiming Jesus. #ReadGodsWordWithYourHeart in #Acts9 Click To Tweet
This call of Saul is probably the most profound transformation in the Bible. A man who once breathed threats is now proclaiming Jesus. Suddenly, Saul is in the murderous sights of the Jews (Acts 9:22-24). The disciples help him to escape to Jerusalem.
Saul isn’t received warmly there—the disciples don’t trust him and doubt he has changed. But Barnabas vouches for him, sharing the story of his encounter with Jesus on the Damascus road. It would take time for Saul to find his purpose, but for now, the disciples send him home to Tarsus.
So often when we face an earthshaking change, we need to find our footing again. #GoingHome #Acts9 Click To Tweet
Jesus Turned My World Upside-Down Too
So often when we face an earthshaking change, we need to find our footing again. Saul found it in Tarsus. I found mine in Pomfret. Our circumstances were different, but we both were trying to serve God in the wrong way and in our own strength. I identify with Saul in having everything I thought right, turned upside-down.
Saul was a persecutor of the One who brought truth for the nations. I was a people-pleaser who felt my identity was found in the roles I held. During my time-out on the shelf, God removed those labels one-by-one…
Sunday school teacher, committee member, vacation Bible school teacher, women’s ministry team member…and more. And I was left with just me.
Then, God began to write His names for me on the tablet of my heart:
Daughter
Beloved
Chosen
Loved
Forgiven
Redeemed…
Yes, I was knocked down too, and there I met Jesus in a deep and powerful way. He showed me what to do, and what not to do, and I discovered His purpose and call are not burdensome when you know the Burden-bearer.
How Jesus’ Call Changes Our Response to the World
We live in a crazy world that tries to whip us into a frenzy over so many things. Do more. Be more. Saying yes because we feel guilty saying no.
God wants to get our attention so we can keep our focus on what’s important. Sometimes it takes being turned upside-down so we can refocus.
Jesus.
The Good News.
And our mission to be His witnesses in our world, that right now seems to be breathing threats and murder.
Here Are Some Takeaways I Noticed in Chapter Nine:
Jesus sought after Saul despite his sin and misdirected efforts. Like leaving the ninety-nine to rescue the one who is lost and blind.
The Lord sent Ananias in the same way He sent Moses to Pharoah in Egypt, and Philip to the Ethiopian eunuch. And, God will send His servant to those who need to hear.
Scales that blinded him fell from Saul’s eyes – like in 2 Corinthians 4:4, the enemy that blinds us from seeing the Truth.
Saul didn’t wait to make an impact, despite being sent home to Tarsus. Acts 9:20 says he immediately proclaimed Jesus in the synagogue. And we shouldn’t wait for the perfect scenario to come our way either. Begin with what you know, right where you are—share what Jesus has done for you.
Be a Barnabas for someone and vouch for their story.
God prepares us for our next step…God is preparing Saul to reach the Gentiles. And Peter’s encounter with Cornelius in Acts 10, begins here with him staying at the house of Simon the Tanner—an unclean profession for sure with all those dead animal hides. He lived by the sea because of the stench of death.
Time set aside is never wasted. God has a purpose in everything. Rest assured He will get your attention.
Pondering This:
How does Jesus’ call to Saul speak to you or someone you are praying for?
What about you—has God ever turned your world upside-down to get your attention about something that needed to change? How did you respond?
How might Jesus be getting your attention today?
Join me next time in Acts Chapter 10, as we meet the other pivotal leader of the early church. Peter’s world is tipping upside-down as well…
Jeanne
We are blogging through the #BookOfActs - Join us as we look at #Acts9 to #ReadGodsWordWithYourHeart Click To Tweet
Did you miss the free downloads for this series in the Book of Acts?
Download your copy of How to Read God’s Word With Your Heart and a printable page to jot down your thoughts from each chapter.
If you have missed any of the posts in our Acts Bible Study series, you can catch up here at the beginning:
Receive This Blog in Your Email Box
Want to receive posts like this by email, Subscribe Here and enjoy my gift of a mini word study. And, enjoy Lisa Joy’s beautiful handcrafted coloring page.
Does your life need a pause button? Interested in the Pausing for R & R Retreat? Sign Up to receive updates and news about future plans for our next getaway (Unfortunately the retreat for this fall is cancelled due to Covid-19. We will reschedule in the future).
For FREE devotional and Bible study materials (including my video study in John 15, Abiding in the True Vine: Producing fruit that lasts) be sure to Visit my Resource Page for Free Downloads.
Gifts to help this ministry are not tax-deductible but very appreciated. You can donate through Paypal.
Amazon Resources for You (As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases without any extra cost to you)
, , , ,
Perhaps one of the greatest lessons God has taught me is how He does not hold my past against me, but He used it to teach me humility. When Satan attempts to remind me of how stained with sin I was, I tell myself that “I was yet so loved that God chose to forgive all because of what His Son did for me.” In that moment, I realized how unworthy I am and how WORTHY my Savior is. Amen Ms. Jeanne.
J.D. Thanks for stopping in and sharing this with us. Yes, and AMEN. Redeemed! Ransom paid in full. What a mighty savior we serve.
I feel as if you wrote this just for me, Jeanne. Of course, when you share God’s Word, you are speaking to each of us.I have always been a “doer”, believing I serve God best by keeping “busy” at His service. But now, I am going through a trial, the loss of a loved one, and I feel the nudge (kindly now, but will probably become more of a push if I ignore) to back away from the busy-ness and seek God’s purpose. It is hard, but your message reminds be of what I have already sensed. Thank you.
Katherine, I am so sorry for your loss–I know how difficult that can be as your world tips and spins for awhile. I know those crazy carnival rides make me dizzy, but the hint to look at a fixed point helps. Jesus is that fixed point. He will not be moved and His love is everlasting. Keeping our eyes on Him while the world turns upside-down is the best medicine. Praying for you now.
Jeanne, an anointed message for us. Often we extend beyond what is healthy. The LORD has given each of us a gift for the body of Christ. Each of us needs to “Bloom where we are planted” Again your wisdom comes through.
Thank you
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Jan…and stopping in to comment. So often we think the work He has for us is BIG. But most often it is in the small obediences of today.
The transformation of Saul illustrates 2 Corinthians 5:17, we become new creations. I can imagine the difficulty the disciples had in accepting Paul. We would feel the same way if a known terrorist showed up at our church and said he met Jesus. Would be be skeptical and think it was a trick or would be embrace him right away as a new believer? That was a challenge for them.
Barbara, your point is a good one. It would be hard to trust, especially now with so much untruth on social media and in our world. Yet, when we bring Paul’s circumstance to 2020, we feel the enormity of it.
So good, Jeanne! God took me out of all the doing too, through chronic illness. He showed me that He’s already done it all and anything He asks me to do isn’t on me, it’s on Him as He works in and through me.
Josie, so true. He has done the work, so when he asks something of us, we can be sure it is his strength that will provide what we need. I need to hear that everyday.