When Grace Reaches Beyond Our Borders

Paul begins with respect, calling his listeners brothers and fathers. When they hear him speaking in their own language, they grow quieter. He explains that he is a Jew, born in Tarsus but raised in Jerusalem and trained under Gamaliel, a respected teacher of the Jewish law. Paul knows their world. He once shared their strong desire to defend God's honor.

But that desire had led him to arrest followers of Jesus, both men and women. He had even received letters giving him authority to bring believers from Damascus to Jerusalem for punishment. The religious leaders could confirm his account.

I don't want us to miss this: Paul admits his wrong without pretending that he lacked religious passion. Deep feelings and firm beliefs do not always mean we are right. We still need God to show us the truth.

Near Damascus, at about noon, a bright light from heaven suddenly surrounds Paul. He falls to the ground and hears Jesus identify himself as the one Paul is attacking. Paul had been hurting believers, yet Jesus speaks of their suffering as something done to him. The risen Lord stands close to his people.

Paul's companions see the light, but they do not understand the voice speaking to him. This is a meeting Jesus directs personally toward Paul. The man who arrived with orders to arrest others now asks the Lord what he should do.

Jesus tells him to enter Damascus and wait for further direction. Blinded by the light, Paul must be led by the hand. His plans have stopped, but God's work has begun. Grace meets Paul while he is wrong and gives him a new direction.

Ananias comes to Paul in Damascus. Paul describes him as a man who honored God's law and was respected by the local Jewish people. That detail matters to this audience. Paul's new life in Jesus did not begin with someone who despised Israel's God.

Through Ananias, Paul receives his sight. He also learns that the God of their ancestors has chosen him to know his will, see the Righteous One—Jesus—and hear him speak. Paul will tell others what he has seen and heard. His calling rests on God's choice, not on a past record of good behavior.

Ananias then urges Paul to be baptized, have his sins washed away, and call on Jesus' name. Baptism is joined here with turning to Jesus for cleansing. The man who had carried believers away in chains is now welcomed among them through God's grace.

Paul next describes a later visit to Jerusalem. While praying in the temple, he enters a trance, a vision in which he sees the Lord speaking to him. Jesus tells him to leave quickly because the people there will not accept his witness.

Paul responds by recalling how well they know his past. He had imprisoned and beaten believers in the synagogues, their places of worship. When Stephen was killed, Paul had approved and guarded the coats of those killing him. Paul seems to think that such a changed life should make people listen.

But Jesus knows what Paul cannot know. He sends Paul far away to the Gentiles, people who are not Jewish. I notice that Paul's call did not depend on where he expected to be most useful. The Lord chose the reach and direction of his work.

The crowd listens until Paul mentions his mission to the Gentiles. Then they demand his death, throw off their cloaks, and toss dust into the air. The Roman commander orders Paul questioned by flogging to discover why the crowd is so angry.

As the soldiers stretch him out for the beating, Paul asks whether they may lawfully flog an uncondemned Roman citizen. The officer reports this to the commander, who questions Paul himself. The commander had paid a large sum for his citizenship; Paul had been born a citizen.

Those preparing to question Paul withdraw. The commander is alarmed because he has put a Roman citizen in bonds. The next day, he brings Paul before the chief priests and Jewish council to learn the charge. Paul remains in danger, but he is not silent about his legal rights. Trusting God does not forbid seeking lawful protection.