Acts 9: 1 - 8 Saul on the road to Damascus

¹ Now Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest, ² and asked for letters from him to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, both men and women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. ³ As he was traveling, it happened that he was approaching Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him; ⁴ and he fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” ⁵ And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” And He said, “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting, ⁶ but get up and enter the city, and it will be told you what you must do.” ⁷ The men who traveled with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. ⁸ Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; and leading him by the hand, they brought him into Damascus.

Saul was a Jewish Zealot who was fervent for the Law of Moses. Now that Christ has come, He is Greater than Moses because now salvation comes in resting in Him and his work on the Cross. Jesus wanted to turn Saul's zeal for the Law into zeal for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He is now changing his name from the Hebrew name Saul to the Roman name Paul. Jesus' mission for him is to build the Church, which was a mystery in the Old Testament. His mission is the conversion of gentiles, bringing them the Good News found in the gospel. And Jesus will show Paul how much he will suffer for His name's sake.

Daily Prayer: I thank you for the mission of Paul who was the one who planted churches throughout the world. No longer am I judged by the Law, because I am hidden in Christ. This way I am judged by Christ and His righteousness apart from the Law which brings me, and not me alone, but anyone who trust in Jesus new life. In Jesus name I pray Amen.