Saul Under Conviction

In that moment of divine revelation Saul remembered with terror that he had consented to Stephen’s sacrifice, and that many other followers of Jesus had met death through his efforts. There were no valid arguments against Stephen’s clear reasoning. The scholarly Jew had seen the face of the martyr as if it had been “the face of an angel” (Acts 6:15). He had seen Stephen forgive his enemies. He also had witnessed the strength and cheerful acceptance of their fate of many whom he had caused to be tormented. He had seen some even yield up their lives with rejoicing for their faith.ULe 44.4

All these things had sometimes forced on Saul’s mind an almost overwhelming conviction that Jesus was the promised Messiah. At such times he had struggled for entire nights against this conviction. Now Christ had spoken with His own voice, saying, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” And the question, “Who are You, Lord?” was answered by the same voice, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.” Christ here identifies Himself with His people. In persecuting the followers of Jesus, Saul had struck directly against the Lord of heaven.ULe 44.5

“Trembling and astonished,” he inquired, “‘Lord, what do You want me to do?’ULe 44.6

Then the Lord said to him, ‘Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.’” When Saul arose from the ground, he found himself totally without sight. He believed that this blindness was a punishment from God. In terrible darkness he groped around, and in fear his companions “led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus.”ULe 44.7

On the morning of that day, Saul had approached Damascus with feelings of self-satisfaction because of the confidence the chief priest had placed in him. He was to stop the spread of the new faith in Damascus and had looked forward eagerly to the experiences before him.ULe 45.1

But how different was his entrance into the city from what he had expected! Blind, tortured by remorse, not knowing what judgment might be in store for him, he sought out the home of the disciple Judas, where, left alone, he had much opportunity to reflect and pray.ULe 45.2

For three days Saul was “without sight, and neither ate nor drank.” Again and again with anguish he recalled his guilt in allowing himself to be controlled by the hatred of the priests and rulers, even when the face of Stephen had been lighted up with the radiance of heaven. He reviewed the many times he had closed his eyes against evidence and had urged the persecution of believers in Jesus.ULe 45.3