Transformed

     Saul had it all. He was a Hebrew among Hebrews, from the tribe of Benjamin, rich in power and wealth. (See Philippians 3:5) He moved with confidence and control and he hated Jesus and His followers. He had permission from the government to round them up and to kill.

     Before Jesus, we find our confidence in the world around us. We have control of ourselves and confidence in making our own decisions. But apart from Jesus, we are enemies of God, just as Saul was an enemy of God.

He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” Acts 9:4

     Notice Jesus is feeling the pain of His followers. As Saul persecutes the Christians, Jesus takes the pain. And in one encounter on the road to Damascus, Saul becomes the apostle, Paul, the writer of most of the New Testament, the faithful follower and messenger of the Gospel of grace.

     Are you on the wrong road, following the wrong message? Need a little hope and forgiveness? Have an encounter with Jesus and be transformed. And Jesus beckons us with His word, and His grace, and with His forgiveness and with His life-transforming message of hope. And He takes the pain and persecution on His shoulders.

Jesus,

Our lives become new after an encounter with You. Turn us in the right direction. Take our pain from us and fill us with hope.

Amen