Look
at that expression! Only one word comes to mind – WOW! Since young
children are amazed at a great many things, I can’t even hazard a
guess as to what might be causing a reaction like this. Apart from
your childhood, what could cause you to have an expression like this?
Winning the publisher Clearing house sweepstakes, inheriting several
million dollars, getting engaged to be married, or the birth of your
firstborn child?
As
I think about this, I remember The Apostle Paul, on the Damascus road
and then suddenly...
Acts
9 ( World English
Bible )
Act 9:1, But Saul, still
breathing threats and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord,
went to the high priest,
Act 9:2, and asked for letters
from him to the synagogues of Damascus, that if he found any who were
of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to
Jerusalem.
Act 9:3, As he traveled, it
happened that he got close to Damascus, and suddenly a light from the
sky shone around him.
Act 9:4, He fell on the
earth, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you
persecute me?”
Act 9:5, He said, “Who
are you, Lord?” The Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are
persecuting.
Act 9:6, But rise up, and
enter into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”
Act 9:7, The men who traveled
with him stood speechless, hearing the sound, but seeing no one.
Act 9:8, Saul arose from the
ground, and when his eyes were opened, he saw no one. They led him by
the hand, and brought him into Damascus.
Act 9:9, He was without sight
for three days, and neither ate nor drank.
Act 9:10, Now there was a
certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a
vision, “Ananias!” He said, “Behold, it’s me, Lord.”
Act 9:11, The Lord said to
him, “Arise, and go to the street which is called Straight, and
inquire in the house of Judah for one named Saul, a man of Tarsus.
For behold, he is praying,
Act 9:12, and in a vision he
has seen a man named Ananias coming in, and laying his hands on him,
that he might receive his sight.”
Act 9:13, But Ananias
answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much
evil he did to your saints at Jerusalem.
Act 9:14, Here he has
authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.”
Act 9:15, But the Lord said to
him, “Go your way, for he is my chosen vessel to bear my name
before the nations and kings, and the children of Israel.
Act 9:16, For I will show him
how many things he must suffer for my name’s sake.”
Act 9:17, Ananias departed,
and entered into the house. Laying his hands on him, he said,
“Brother Saul, the Lord, who appeared to you on the road by which
you came, has sent me, that you may receive your sight, and be filled
with the Holy Spirit.”
Act 9:18, Immediately
something like scales fell from his eyes, and he received his sight.
He arose and was baptized.
I
think being directly confronted by the post-resurrected Jesus would
cause anyone to have an expression like the child in the picture.
Paul, especially, for he had persecuted the church (the body of
Jesus). This was obviously a life-changing event; and the change was
total. From persecutor to chief advocate, Paul’s life was never the
same.
Question:
Has knowing Jesus changed your life and if you don’t know HIM,
what’s preventing you from doing so? Why wait? You too, will say
WOW!