Acts 9:1-9 (NRSV)
Read Acts 9:1-9 on biblegateway.com
Chapter 9Meanwhile Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest Verse 2and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any who belonged to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Verse 3Now as he was going along and approaching Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. Verse 4He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" Verse 5He asked, "Who are you, Lord?" The reply came, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. Verse 6But get up and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do." Verse 7The men who were traveling with him stood speechless because they heard the voice but saw no one. Verse 8Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; so they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. Verse 9For three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.
Devotion
Not all of us have had Paul’s dramatic conversion. But many of us may need to be stopped dead in our tracks—especially when our self-righteousness hinders the Spirit’s work among Jesus’ followers. What makes us blind to the ways Jesus does good in our midst? Why are we so threatened by the Spirit’s power when it changes people’s lives? Only the voice—“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting”—and a couple of days without sight or food and drink may get us to realize how our self-important zeal stands in the Spirit’s way.
Prayer
Spirit of Jesus, open our eyes to the good you are doing in our midst. Blind us so that we too might see our world turned upside down by your power.