To Live is Christ, To Die is Gain

FOURTEEN

"Listen," Saul began, his jaw set as he spoke to the high priests. "We can't just sit idly by and let the preaching of this Jesus continue. I know that you appreciate my work thus far in eradicating this teaching, but I propose more..."

The high priest grinned widely. Saul was his man when it came to these pestilences. Many were shut up on prison, many put to death, many punished publicly in the synagogue. Many were taunted into blaspheming the very Lord they defended and worshiped, many giving up their own lives just to cleave to Him.

"Paul you've been stellar in getting rid of this nuisance, but what more can be done that you've not started?"

"Give to me letters to the synagogues in Damascus, if I should find any Jesus-followers on my way, I can arrest them and drag them, kicking and screaming if need be, back to Jerusalem."

"Come on, can't you men keep up? You know how much work we have ahead of us!" Saul urged his company as they traveled. "I don't want to rest until I have at least-"

The bright light that shone down out of the grey sky knocked Saul to his face on the earth, quivering in fear. What was this?

"Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?"

"What? Who are You, Lord?" It was too unexpected and frightening to even think of a lie or excuse.

"I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks"

"What do You want me to do?"

"And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do."

Barnaby, Jael, and Nahum stood still, speechless, not knowing what to do. They also heard the voice but saw no one. Barnaby was first to catch his composure, likely the only reason being that he saw Saul try to rise and stumble. Blinded.

"Here, let me help you," Barnaby grabbed hold on Saul's hand, leading him into Damascus.

Stunned speechless didn't even begin to describe Saul. Trembling and amazed, he fasted even without water for three days.

Now there was in Damascus a disciple of Christ, and to him, the Lord spoke in a vision, "Ananias."

"Yes, here I am Lord!"

"Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, and hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight."

Ananias had never disobeyed God. He wouldn't dream of backtalking to Him, but this was the first time he contemplated it. Horror fell over him. God is omnipotent, He knows all things. Did He not realize who Saul was? Had He forgotten? It couldn't be! "Lord, I've heard about Saul. He works evil to Your people in Jerusalem! Even here, now, he has authority to arrest anyone who calls on Your Name, from the chief priests of all things. Lord, You know they don't play around..."

"Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: for I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake."

Ananias swallowed hard. God could not lie. He knew that, yet his flesh still quivered as he made his way, immediately to the house Saul stayed in.

Saul sat dumbly, his eyes open, yet unseeing. He cocked his head at the direction of the sound of feet approaching him. His tongue wanted to form words, but couldn't.

Maybe it was the meek way Saul looked, but more likely the power of God that rested upon Ananias for he put his hands upon the man before him, "Brother Saul, Jesus Christ, the same God that showed Himself to you as you came this way, has sent me so that you may regain your sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost."

Saul gaped at the scales that had fallen off his eyes and landed on his chest, his sight returned. He broke into a smile, something he hadn't done in earnest for years, the closest thing that came to a smile was the wicked grin that seemed permanent upon his features. Ananias held out his hand and hoisted Saul up who was immediately baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ. And when he had eaten, he was strengthened.

How is it that when a man meets with God, he is a new creation? It is unfathomable for the human mind, and it was no different as now Saul immediately went forth to preach Christ in the synagogues!

"How can this be?"

"Isn't this the same man that came here to arrest the Christ followers?"

But Saul increased the more in strength and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ.

The Jews were furious! If there was ever a man that they could rely on to do dirty work it was Saul. And now he did exactly what they despised more than anything else? He had to die.

It was a miraculous thing to behold, he who had killed so many believers was now being rescued by those he had longed to kill. In a basket, in the middle of the night, Saul was let down to escape the Jews who lay in wait to kill him, fleeing back to Jerusalem.

He should have known that things wouldn't be easy for him. Despite longing to be part of the disciples, they shunned him out of fear, not believing that he was truly converted. They had every right to fear. Traps were continually out. Just as they had been for Jesus. Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.

Sufficed, he became one of them, coming in and going out at Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the Name of the Lord Jesus, debating with the Grecians. The Grecians also began to hate Saul, and much like the Jews, they sought to kill him, he escaping to Caesarea before being sent to Tarsus.

Now had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified, and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.