Why are you persecuting me ∙

Why are you persecuting me ∙

“Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” – Acts 9:4

Acts 9:1-6

 1 Now Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest,

 2 and asked for letters from him to the synagogues at Damascus, so that he might bring them bound to Jerusalem if he found any belonging to the Way, both men and women.

 3 As he was traveling, it happened that he was approaching Damascus, and suddenly, a light from heaven flashed around him;

 4 and he fell to the ground and 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 get up and enter the city, and it will be told you what you must do.”

In 2015, Ben Parr authored a book titled “Captivology: The Science of Capturing People’s Attention.” Drawing upon contemporary research in psychology and neuroscience, this work delves into the topic of attention – how to Capture it and Keep it.

“Captivology” presents an exploration of seven psychological triggers that are key to attracting and maintaining attention:

• Automaticity – activate the senses
• Framing – contextualize to appeal to your audience
• Disruption – break expectations
• Reward – create desire
• Reputation – establish credibility
• Mystery – leave things incomplete
• Acknowledgment – contribute to your audience’s identity

The Father employs a myriad of methods to capture our attention. Sometimes, He is overt and communicates through dreams, visions, or angelic messengers. On rare occasions, He even enters the space-time continuum to make Himself visible to us. Saul, with his heart full of murderous intent towards Jewish Christians who had acknowledged Christ as their Messiah, was one such individual who experienced such a remarkable encounter. As Saul traveled the road to Damascus, bent on persecuting these believers, how did the Father get Saul’s attention?

Acts 9:1-2

 1 Saul was uttering threats with every breath and was eager to kill the Lord’s followers. So he went to the high priest.

 2 He requested letters addressed to the synagogues in Damascus, asking for their cooperation in the arrest of any followers of the Way he found there. He wanted to bring them – both men and women – back to Jerusalem in chains.

The Father had a different plan in mind, one that called for a major paradigm shift in Saul’s perspective and comprehension. After the Father got Saul’s attention in such a profound manner, Saul was never the same again. His prior life, objectives, and aspirations were relegated to the past. He underwent a complete reversal, a full 180° change.  The encounter with a blinding light and hearing the voice of Lord Jesus Christ brought Saul to his knees, leaving him bewildered and disoriented.

Nonetheless, Saul was knowledgeable about the Scriptures, so he was not unfamiliar with the Father’s history of similar interventions during the Old Testament era.

Acts 9:3-6

 3 As he was approaching Damascus on this mission, a light from heaven suddenly shone down around him.

 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?”

 5 “Who are you, lord?” Saul asked. And the voice replied, “I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting!

 6 Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

Saul had the presence of mind to recognize this was a divine visitation. He asked a straightforward question, “Who are you, Lord?” (Acts 9:5).

The answer left him confused, perplexed, and speechless.

Acts 9:5-6

 5 The voice replied, “I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting!”

 6 “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

The Lord orchestrated a divine wake-up call from His throne on high! He got Saul’s undivided attention and now had him exactly where he wanted him. The Lord had masterfully used the seven psychological captivation triggers.

Saul was under the false impression that he knew what the Father wanted him to do. He thought he was doing the will of God. He was completely sincere, but he was sincerely wrong.  It isn’t easy to envision how these words resonated with Saul. They completely contradicted everything Saul had fervently believed in before (Polhill).

There’s only one appropriate response when blessed with a divine visitation. In your own words, ask, “Lord, what would you like your servant to do?”

Saul didn’t have to ask any questions. The Father gave him precise instructions and additional directives to follow.

REFLECT & PRAY

Our God is an awesome God, He reigns from heaven above with wisdom, power, and love. Our God is an awesome God.

Father thank You for the Lord Jesus Christ, who has risen and ascended to heaven. Thank You that You got my attention.

INSIGHT

Before his encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus, Saul had been oblivious to the fact that he was persecuting Christ Himself. He and others believed he was fulfilling the Lord’s will by ridding the world of Christians.

The transformation that took place within Saul was astonishingly swift. In a matter of days, he was preaching in synagogues, proclaiming that the Lord Jesus Christ was the Promised One, the long-awaited Messiah of Israel (Acts 9:20).

Imagine for a moment the internal debate Saul must have been having. He was reconsidering the misguided beliefs he had held onto all his life. His fervor for persecuting Jewish Christians was redirected towards spreading the gospel. Saul became devoted to imparting the truth. His writings would later constitute a significant portion of the New Testament.

Was the confrontation, temporary blindness, disorientation, and humiliation worth it?

Of course, yes, they were! Saul of Tarsus ceased to exist, replaced by Paul, the apostle who carried the gospel across the Roman world.

The Lord Jesus Christ is in the business of transforming lives. Saul of Tarsus serves as a prime example. Once a man driven by destructive tendencies and a desire to persecute, he became an apostle and teacher of truth, empowered by the Holy Spirit.

The majority of the children of the King do not experience such a swift and drastic transformation.  It’s typically a gradual progression that unfolds over a lifetime. Nonetheless, the central message stays the same.

“I once was lost, but now am found; Was blind, but now I see. ‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, And grace my fears relieved; How precious did that grace appear The hour I first believed.”

Don’t delay responding to the Lord when He moves to get your attention. Respond quickly and humbly, and listen for what He says to you (Stanley).

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© Dr. H 2024