HEAVEN’S LIGHT OF PURPOSE (1)

“As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a LIGHT shone around him from HEAVEN” – Acts 9:3

The Story of Saul who became Paul, exemplifies the reality of HEAVEN’S LIGHT of PURPOSE: “As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a LIGHT shone around him from HEAVEN” (Acts 9:3). Saul, a persecutor of Christians was off to Damascus to persecute some more, when he encountered Heaven’s light of Purpose! This resulted in his supernatural transformation and a change in the course of the new Christian Church. Saul’s is a classic model of the transformative power in God’s Light of Purpose and Vision.

Saul convinced the high priest to allow him to go to Damascus and arrest whoever belonged to ‘the Way.’ While Saul journeyed, “suddenly a light shone around him from heaven” (v.3). The impact knocked him off his feet, even as he “heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?’ (v.4). A supernatural work promptly began in his heart as he discerned the authority behind the voice and asked “Who are You, Lord?” Saul soon discovered that the voice belonged to Jesus, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting” (v.5). This must have been a shock to him. Jesus was the claimed Messiah of those who followed ‘the Way,’ the One whom the Romans had executed. The One who was dead!

When Saul rose from the ground, he could not see. He was completely blind and had to be led to the city by those he travelled with. Ananias, a disciple who lived in the city, was instructed by the Lord to go and see Saul (vv.10-12). Ananias was initially reluctant, as he had prior knowledge of the persecutor’s atrocities (vv.13-14). The Lord however allayed Ananias fears by revealing His eternal Purpose for the Saul: “But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a CHOSEN VESSEL of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake” (vv.15-16). God’s predestined Purpose for Saul, who became Paul – his reason for being – was to be HIS CHOSEN VESSEL or Vehicle, to convey the Name of Jesus to Gentiles, Kings, and Jews!

Ananias went to Saul, told him he had been sent by the Lord, and laid his hands on him, saying: “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit” (v.17). Immediately, Saul’s sight returned. He was baptized, and promptly began to preach about Jesus in the synagogues of Damascus (vv.18-20). What a dramatic change! As we journey through life, we shall likewise encounter Heaven’s Light of Purpose and Vision!