Confounded (Acts 9)

Any time a person is converted to Christ, there has to be a moment where we contemplate what we are doing. We have to count the costs. Because the reality is that following Christ means changing our lives. The message of Jesus goes against what we want to believe about reality. We want to believe that it's all about the here and now. We want to live for this world and the things that are in it, but Jesus goes against that. Everyone who becomes a follower of Christ has to face that reality and make a choice. Sometimes they must make that choice a few times after following Christ.

Today we will look at the conversion story of a man named Saul. This story is full of moments of contemplation like this. Saul is also known as the apostle Paul. Some might say that he is the most notable follower of Christ in the first century. Nearly half of the New Testament was written by him.

We were introduced to Saul in Chapter 7, where we learn that those stoning Stephen laid their garments at Saul's feet. This indicates that Saul is a trustworthy man, but it may also indicate that Saul oversaw this Stoning. As we enter Chapter 9, we see that Saul diligently gets rid of these disciples of Jesus. The text tells us that he was breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord. He hates them because he sees them as false teachers blaspheming and leading people astray.

Saul becomes known throughout Jerusalem as the enforcer. He seems to be the leader of the persecution charge. So, when the Christians scattered from Jerusalem, Saul wanted to follow them into one of the closest big cities, Damascus. He goes to the High Priest and obtains letters giving him authority to bring any belonging to the Way back to Jerusalem for trial.

Jesus Speaks To Saul

While Saul is on his way up to Damascus, he sees the light shining around him that is brighter than the sun, bringing him to his knees. Out of the light comes a message, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?" When Saul hears this, his mind starts racing. Who could this be? I've persecuted so many, but none like this. Jesus appears to Saul and says, "I am Jesus who you are persecuting." This is odd since Jesus is supposed to be dead, according to the Jewish leaders. Then, Jesus instructed him to enter the city and wait to be told what to do.

When Jesus departs, we are told that Saul can't see anything, and those who were with him did not see anyone, but they could hear the voice. They just stood there speechless. They lead Saul into the city, where he waits for three days. He spends those three days refusing to eat or drink anything. I wonder what he was thinking about. Consider that this man had devoted his life to destroying the disciples of Christ. He chose to defy his teacher Gamaliel and persecute those belonging to the way. In the end, he finds himself opposing God. Can you imagine what it would be like to face that reality? Jesus has messed up everything he thought he knew. He put all his eggs in that basket, and Jesus crushed them in a moment. Now he waits for three days contemplating how much he will have to give up and change without being able to see. Is it any wonder that he refuses to eat or drink?

Jesus Speaks to Ananias

While Saul is waiting, Jesus speaks to a man named Ananias about him. Ananias is a disciple of Christ who has been scattered to Damascus. He seems willing and eager to follow whatever the Lord commands him. When he is called by name, he responds, "Here I am, Lord." That response sounds a lot like Abraham, giving us the impression that Ananias is a man of great faith.

Acts 9:11--14 (ESV) --- 11 And the Lord said to him, “Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying, 12 and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.” 13 But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem. 14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.”

Notice that Ananias knows who Saul is. This guy brought about the scattering of the disciples by arresting us and seeking to destroy us. He is why we couldn't stay in Jerusalem any longer and learn from the disciples. You can sense the fear in Ananias' voice. He doesn't say, "I won't go." But he's not so eager to do this.

How would you feel about going directly into the house of the man hoping to arrest you and take you to be killed? Ananias faces one of those moments when Jesus messes up everything he thought he knew. Isn't the Messiah going to judge our enemies and punish them? It sounds like Saul is blinded. Shouldn't that hinder him from persecuting? Why do we want him to see it again? But, in this case, Jesus clarifies what is going on for Ananias.

Acts 9:15--16 (ESV) --- 15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. 16 For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.”

Jesus wants Saul to carry his name before the Gentiles and kings. This is pretty amazing. Jesus has decided to take his worst enemy and make him a chosen instrument. Saul is the worst of the worst, but he is willing to offer him forgiveness and an opportunity to serve Christ. Are you amazed at the grace of God here?

Now, Ananias has to overcome his prejudice and follow the Lord's command.

Ananias Speaks to Saul

Acts 9:17--18 (ESV) --- 17 So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized;

Can you imagine hearing these words and receiving your sight again? After three days of being blind and not eating and drinking, three days of questioning whether this could be true, and three days of considering how much his life was about to change, he hears these words, and the scales covering his eyes fall off.

Pause for a second and consider what you would do after hearing these words and regaining your sight. I might hug Ananias, and maybe he did. I might ask questions, and maybe he did. But after three days of not eating, I would be starving. I might consider slaughtering a fattened calf and throwing a feast! But notice what Saul does after receiving his sight. Verse 17 says that he rose and was baptized.

Saul knows he needs Jesus to wash away his sins. He has caused the death of many innocent people. These men and women were trying to help their brothers see the Messiah. So, he calls on Jesus' name when he is baptized, and Jesus washes away his sins. Many people today claim that God removes sins when we say a prayer to call on his name, but that's not the picture we get throughout the book of Acts.

Have you noticed a common thread through these conversion stories so far? Those in Jerusalem asked, "What shall we do?" Peter commanded them to repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of sins. Those in Samaria paid attention to what Philip had told them, and their conclusion was to be baptized, even Simon the sorcerer. Then, we read about the Ethiopian eunuch learning about Jesus and asking, "What prevents me from being baptized." Now we see Saul being baptized after being healed. Notice he does this before he eats anything.

If you skip ahead in the book of Acts, Saul recounts his conversion story on two occasions. In Acts 22, we get a little more information about why Saul was baptized.

Acts 22:16 (ESV) --- 16 And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.’

Saul Speaks to Jews

Once Saul is baptized, he eats to strengthen himself and immediately goes to the synagogues to proclaim that Jesus is the Son of God. The Jews in Damascus were not expecting to hear that. They knew that Saul was the guy in Jerusalem who was in charge of condemning the followers of Jesus. Why is he now calling Jesus the Son of God? Then, we read that Saul grew stronger and continued to reason with them, proving that Jesus was Christ. They were confounded.

Confounded is an interesting word. It means that their confusion increased. It's a term that can also be used to discuss stirring or mixing two things. The Jews were torn between their heritage and the truth about Jesus. This is the effect that Jesus was hoping to have on the Jews. Watching their great leader turn and believe in Christ shatters their reality. Now they have to contemplate and consider what they are going to do.

I imagine it would be terrifying to have Jews waiting at the city's gates, ready to kill him. But verse 23 reveals that many Jews make a wrong choice. They seek to kill Saul, but he escapes through an opening in the wall. What a turn of events for Saul. He went from the persecutor to the one being persecuted.

Saul Speaks To The Apostles

He leaves Damascus and Galatians tells us that he goes into the desert region for about three years. Then, he goes down to Jerusalem. But he had some trouble joining the brethren there. As you can imagine, they didn't like the idea of accepting the man responsible for condemning many of them. Remember, Saul was the zealous one who was breathing threats and murder long ago. They were afraid to welcome him and did not believe he was a disciple. Once again, what Jesus was doing makes no sense to them. This is not something that they would have expected Jesus to do. They are confused by this.

But Barnabas, the man renamed "Son of Encouragement," believed him. Barnabas brings him to the apostles and tells them how Jesus has spoken to Saul. He also tells them that Saul has been teaching the Jews in Damascus. So the disciples accepted him, and he preached for them.

Saul goes to speak to the Hellenists or the Greek-speaking Jews in Jerusalem. He tries to convert those who once joined him in condemning the disciples of Christ. But instead of listening to him, they turn against Saul, and he has to escape to Caesarea, and eventually, he returns home to Tarsus.

What Do We Learn?

As we study this story of Saul's conversion, we see that Jesus and God work in a way that doesn't often make sense at the moment. Everyone is confused as we read this story. Saul had no idea what Jesus was planning for him when he saw the bright light. Those who are with Saul are wondering what has happened. The disciples question whether he has changed. They are afraid of him. The Jews don't know what to think. I imagine they believe he has been deceived. Here is a man responsible for murdering followers of Christ. Why wouldn't Jesus kill him?

Can you imagine if someone had done something similar today? There have been several church shootings in the past decade. Would it be hard to accept someone who has killed people you know? Even if they were baptized and preaching the gospel, it might be hard for us to accept them. We would be conflicted. Saul calls himself the chief of sinners. Maybe at first, he couldn't understand the grace of Jesus himself. But he explains his understanding of it in this way in 1 Timothy.

1 Timothy 1:12--17 (ESV) --- 12 I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, 13 though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, 14 and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 15 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. 16 But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. 17 To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

We all must come to terms with the fact that Jesus is more gracious than we can imagine. He forgives sinners. He pours out his love toward those who do not deserve it. He takes his enemies and transforms them to be his allies. Saul's sins do not disqualify him from the hope of heaven. God has plans for him to be great in the kingdom.

We need to be more like Barnabas and give people a chance to be accepted and find comfort.

Application

So what are we going to do with this information? Have you contemplated the truth about Christ? Have you counted the cost and considered how much of a change this will require from you? It may be that, like Saul, your friends and family will disown you. It may mean that you have been a fool for the last year or decade of your life. It would be best to admit that and risk looking like a fool because this is too important.

Jesus wants to transform you just like he transformed Saul. Notice in this text that the stubborn Jews and Hellenists stay confused. They have no answers to help them digest what Jesus has done in the life of Saul. You won't have an answer unless you submit to the same transformation when you see someone transformed.

I'm sure you have done some awful things, but God can change you.