A transition can occur when God interrupts our direction. Saul thought he was serving God by persecuting the church. Acts 9: 1Meanwhile, Saul was uttering threats with every breath and was eager to kill the Lord’s followers. So he went to the high priest. 2 He requested letters addressed to the synagogues in Damascus, asking for their cooperation in the arrest of any followers of the Way he found there. He wanted to bring them—both men and women—back to Jerusalem in chains. [1]
Saul was a Jewish scholar and knew that anyone who is hung on a tree, or crucified, is considered cursed (Deut. 21:23). Surely, God would not take a cursed false prophet and declare him to be Messiah. It made no sense; Jesus was dead. So Saul must have considered that the miracles of the Jesus followers were done in satanic power. Thus, Saul sought to destroy what he considered a dangerous sect.
Saul Had not Transitioned His View of God
While Saul was well-versed in Jewish scripture, his mindset about what the Messiah would be had prevented him from understanding Jesus’ identity. Like many other Jewish leaders, Saul stumbled over the cross. He thought he could earn his own righteousness by obeying the law. He saw no need for a Savior, let alone one who died.
Most Jews were looking for a political Messiah who would rule a new Israel like King David had. Even though Jesus had done things that only a Messiah could do, Saul didn’t see Him as the Messiah. Jesus had given the Jews His identity in His “I Am” statements. Jesus was the Bread of Life, the Light of the World, the Gate, and the Good Shepherd. Jesus had pointed out that He was the only way to eternal life. To obtain eternal life, we must stay attached to Jesus, our Vine.
Jesus had often referred to God as His Father, thus implying that He was the Son of God. Yet, Saul did not understand Jesus’ true identity and falsely accused Him of being a heretic. One must understand who Jesus is before they can truly follow Him. Saul had not transitioned from a traditional Jewish mindset to a Christian mindset.
God Intervened
Saul was moving passionately in the wrong direction. It took God’s intervention before Saul would change his mind about who Jesus is. God had to first stop Saul in his tracks before He could redirect him. God is willing to meet us where we are, even when we are at odds with Him. This is exactly what happened.
Acts 9: 3 As he was approaching Damascus on this mission, a light from heaven suddenly shone down around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?” [2]
Jesus demonstrated His true identity to Saul through a vision. This demonstrated how God is willing to engage with each of us personally. Jesus had to reveal the truth of His identity to remove Saul’s misconception. When God interrupts our direction, we can transition from the wrong path to the right road. Where is God pursuing you so that you can follow His will?
To find out more, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/transition-follows-transformation
[1-2] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.