For many of us, before we turned to
Jesus, we were different people. Our attitudes and behaviors would most likely
make us cringe if someone played back a tape from that time. For some of us it
would be embarrassing, for others of us it could even be criminal. But Jesus
got our attention somehow. Perhaps you can remember the season or incident that
caused you to accept Jesus and begin to build a new life around that reality.
For Saul (Paul) it literally took a
bright light from heaven and then being knocked off this horse and laid out on
the ground. This is a familiar story, and one we often hear right after Easter
and before Pentecost. Paul's conversion is indeed a miracle. But, what about
his traveling companions? "The men traveling with Saul stood there
speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone." (Acts
9:7)
Saul was a Roman, a soldier with a
mission to wipe out members of The Way. Christ followers were his enemy and he
hated them. I am assuming his companions on the road that day were of the same
mindset. They were traveling with Saul on the same mission - wipe out the
Christ followers. Put an end to this threat and maybe make a name for
themselves too.
Reading this passage my mind to went
to these men. What happened to them? Did they desert Saul at that point and
resume the mission? Did they turn back to home, leaving Saul behind? Did they
stay and see what happened next? Scripture does not tell us any more about these
individuals. But think back to your Damascus road experience. The companions you
had with you then, are they still with you now? Doubtful.
Just like with Saul (Paul), his
friends changed. His life changed. His mission changed when his eyes were
opened. An encounter with Jesus will do that.
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