Words of Wisdom

Week 28

FROM BLINDNESS TO SIGHTEDNESS

Read Acts 22: 6 - 16

FOCUS

Paul is speaking to a hostile crowd who, because of the language he uses to address them, remain quiet and listen to him. Among other things, Paul uses the occasion to tell of Jesus, The Way, The Truth and The Life. He tells them of his own zealousness against the followers of Jesus. His successes in Jerusalem are highlighted and so serious is he, that he goes to Damascus to carry out this same mission of persecuting the followers of Jesus. It is on this road that he meets the Risen Lord. Listen once more to the words of Paul.

      " About noon as I came near Damascus, suddenly a bright light from heaven flashed around me. I fell to the ground and heard a    voice say to me, ' Saul! Saul! Why do you persecute me?' "

Here are some facts about this light that Paul, then called Saul, sees. What does he tell us about it?

FACTS

It is a Brilliant Light: Paul speaks of the time of day as being midday, the time when the light of the sun is brightest. But so bright is the heavenly light, it outshines the sun's light.

It is a Breaking Light: Paul speaks of his companions having to lead him into Damascus. Note! he is the leader, he is the zealous one but now this experience has floored him. He is on the ground and needs to be led, like a broken down vehicle being towed in. His authority is broken, his zeal is broken, his mission is broken.

It is a Blinding Light: Paul, who sees the way so clearly, is now blind. The light blinds him so thoroughly that he is no longer able to see his way into Damascus, nor pursue his planned mission against the followers of The Risen Lord.
Listen to these pointing words of Paul.

" My companions led me by the hand into Damascus, because the brilliance of the Light had blinded me."   (verse 11)

Is there any Light brighter than Jesus?

FREEDOM

We must never be deceived by the ways Jesus, the Light, chooses to operate. He wants Saul as His disciple. Jesus wants Saul on His team and with patience, He waits and chooses Saul at His designated time. Jesus, the Light of the world, is free to use His light as He wishes, for the good of those He chooses. Paul speaks of His sudden blindness and he also speaks of his sudden sightedness when Ananias, a disciple of Jesus, visits him. Of Ananias Paul says,

  " He stood beside me and said, 'Brother Saul, receive your sight!' At that very moment I was able to see him." ( (verse 13 )

Sometimes, many of us need to know the Light of Christ in our lives as a Brilliant, Breaking and Blinding Light, that we may receive the sight our Master has for us. This is the sight of His Will, His Word and His Witness.

Be you an Ananias or a Saul, be free to know the healing sight Christ gives.