The beloved physician, Luke, records in Acts 9:1-2 that Saul
of Tarsus went to the leaders of the Jews and received permission
to go to Damascus and bring followers of Jesus bound to
Jerusalem. Luke says that Saul was ‘breathing threats and murder’
(Acts 9:1). Saul himself would say later, “I also received letters to
the brethren, and went to Damascus to bring in chains even those
who were there to Jerusalem to be punished” (Acts 22:5). In
another setting he said, “I punished them often in every
synagogue and compelled them to blaspheme; and being
exceedingly enraged against them, I persecuted them even to
foreign cities” (Acts 26:11).
Who were these that occupied so much of the mind and
time of Saul of Tarsus? The book of Acts describes them in this
manner:
1. They were disciples of the Lord (Acts 9:1)
2. They were men and women of the Way (Acts 9:2; 22:4)
3. They were saints (Acts 26:10)
We know that Saul arrived to Damascus, but in a much
different state than he or anyone else anticipated. Saul met Jesus
on the road and entered that city a much different man –
physically blind, emotionally broken, and spiritually stirred.
However, what if Jesus hadn’t appeared to him before entering
Damascus? How was Paul going to find men and women who
were following Jesus? There were no big buildings with signs, no
cars with bumper stickers, and no t-shirts with the name of the
church. How were Christians going to be identified?
The point to be made is simple – there had to be
something different about followers of Jesus that made them
stand out from everyone else. Was it their speech? Was it an
attire different from Jews? Maybe – but most likely it was their
desire to tell others about the hope that was within them that
made them stand out. These were men and women who were not
ashamed to known as disciples of Jesus. It was the fact that these
people loved being together so that if you found one follower of
Jesus, you most likely found several others with them.
What if Saul came to Midland to persecute disciples of the
Lord – would he find me? How easily can others tell that I am a
saint and of the Way? It’s a challenge to be lights in a world of
darkness (Matthew 5:14; Philippians 2:15); but most of all it is a
challenge to not be ashamed of Jesus and to be His follower.
Jesus said that whoever confesses Me before men, I will confess
before My Father who is in heaven (Matthew 10:32). This world is
not our home, so let’s not worry so much about how others view
us, and be most concerned with the Lord looking down at
Midland and knowing those who are His.
– Adam Orr
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