God can soften the hardest heart
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But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 3 Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. 4 And falling to the ground he 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 rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” 7 The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one.8 Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. 9 And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.
Acts 9:1–9
In life we will meet people, have experiences, and even read books that will influence who we are, what we do, or what we think. Sometimes these changes are rapid; at other times, they’re slow and ongoing. Unlike the caterpillar’s metamorphosis into a butterfly, which takes time, when we place our faith in Jesus for the forgiveness of our sin, we are transformed into a new creation immediately (2 Cor. 5:17). We are given a new life, new desires, and a new eternal destination. This radical transformation we experience in Christ is powerfully exemplified in Saul’s encounter with Jesus.
Saul was filled with an insatiable anger that drove him to persecute the church. He sought and received authority to arrest those “he found . . . belonging to the Way” (Acts 9:1–2). Traveling to Damascus in search of Christians to arrest and extradite, Saul encountered Jesus Christ. Relating this encounter, Luke writes, “A light from heaven flashed around him” (Acts 9:3). This great light stopped Saul in his tracks and brought him to the ground. Jesus not only asked Saul why he was persecuting him, but he called him to rise from the ground, enter the city, and meet a man who would tell him what to do next (Acts 9:4–5). Upon rising to his knees, Saul discovered that the light had blinded him, requiring his companions to escort him to the city (Acts 9:6–9).
Saul’s encounter with Jesus would forever change his life and our world. While our individual encounters with Jesus may not be as radical as Saul’s, his life does exemplify what can occur in our life and in the church.
Questions
This week may be a good time for the group to share their salvation experiences. From past experiences and influences to God’s present-day work in each one’s life, how has each member of the group encountered Jesus and seen God at work?
Regardless of whether we think someone is beyond the reach of God’s mercy and grace, Saul’s experience proves otherwise. God can soften the hardest of hearts. Is there anyone in your life that you’ve given up on meeting Jesus? Identify 1–3 people in your life you can pray for and share the gospel with.
