January 3: PERSECUTING JESUS

As he journeyed, he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” Acts 9:3-5a

Rags to riches! These moments of heavenly illumination jolted Saul to a point of inquiry: “Who are You, Lord? This marvelous encounter had a quickening effect on Saul’s mind. Saul already possessed an extensive knowledge of the Scriptures, yet their intended purpose had been twisted and misdirected, making a ‘textbook showcase’ of Satan’s work. But now, the records of prophecy were opened to his understanding. The rejection of the long-awaited Messiah by His people, and His crucifixion through the alliance between religious leaders and the Roman government—just as foretold by the prophets—sharpened into focus: perfect prophetic proof of the Messiah’s identity!

Saul, with his educated mind, and a heart fueled by misguided zeal, was a soul in tatters. His recent elevation to a position of power in the council of the Sanhedrin, accompanied by the accoutrements of beautiful raiment and the honor of men, was only a thin veneer over his miserably bitter condition: a soul clothed in filthy rags before the eyes of Him who occupies the throne of the universe.

Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting . . .”  (v.5b)

This is an astonishing statement by Jesus, for He had been resurrected and ascended into heaven. He was—and is—beyond the reach of Satan’s harm . . . or is He? His own words reveal that harm to His people is persecution to Himself.

Saul’s enlightenment included the painful recognition that he had personally been carrying out the will of Satan. Jesus, in His compassion and mercy, brings clarity as to His identity, enabling a tattered soul to shed the ragged garments of misunderstanding and receive something incomparably superior: the Savior’s robe of life-affirming righteousness! Such riches, when received, impart a sustaining hope and power in the face of that same old enemy that had deceived Saul. Thenceforth, Paul overcame daily as he lived joyfully in the light of his Savior.

Recognition of who Jesus is also brings recognition of the relentless nature of our enemy to persecute Him by harming the objects of His deep affection. Ask Jesus today for heightened sensitivity to the work of His Holy Spirit. Rightly understood, the riches of God’s love and longsuffering (in light of our God-given conscience) “goad” us toward a response of loving obedience towards Him. He desires for us to have the peculiar joy of being His instrument to help others break free of Satan’s deceptions. These deceptions will only intensify between now and the return of Jesus, and they always lead to sin; sin so very heavy and burdensome. In contrast, Jesus said, “My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11:30)

“It is hard to kick against the goads.” Acts 9:5c