EPIPHANY III
January 21, 2024
“God’s Chosen Instrument”
Lutherans honor and continue to learn from the many individuals who have been instrumental in spreading and building up the Christian faith throughout the world and over the centuries. This week, on Thursday, January 25, we commemorate the conversion of St. Paul, a towering figure in the accounts of the early history of Christianity.
The Book of Acts is unique in its makeup, and was written by the same person as the Gospel of Luke. The orderly, historic style shows us the writer’s intention to provide a comprehensive account of the time during which the apostles and other leaders traveled about preaching, teaching and establishing congregations of new believers. We learn, also, of their courage in the face of persecution by those opposing their teachings. Conflict arose with government officials who were threatened by the concept that people were primarily accountable to God, not the governing power. Religious leaders saw the new teachings as contradicting their authority and wanted this radical faith eliminated.
Into the midst of these conflicts and tensions, Saul appeared, a devout and educated Jew who was dedicated in his efforts to eradicate those he considered heretics. At the beginning of Chapter 9, Saul was in Jerusalem, where he asked the high priest for letters of authorization (similar in power to a warrant) to take with him to the synagogues at Damascus. He was “breathing threats and murder” and intended to arrest, imprison, and even execute any Christians he could find.
As Saul and his companions approached Damascus, a bright light suddenly shone on him, and a voice said, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” When he asked who was speaking, the reply was, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.” Blinded and probably in shock, Saul was taken into the city, where he neither ate nor drank for three days. A leader among the Christians in the area, Ananias, was sent by God to visit Saul, although he was reluctant to do so, given Saul’s reputation. However, God said, “Go, for he is an instrument whom I have chosen to bring my name before Gentiles and kings and before the people of Israel;” (9:15) Ananias went, laid his hands on Saul, and prayed, and his sight was restored.
Most people would be skeptical of such a drastic turnaround, suspicious that it was a ruse to get inside the Christian communities so as to identify and arrest the members. But Saul, (soon known as Paul), proved himself time after time, and never wavered in his dedication to spreading the Gospel of Christ. Enduring persecution and imprisonment, he continued to write and encourage others, and his letters have enlightened and inspired Christians from ancient times to the present.
So how does this story resonate with us today? It’s challenging to comprehend how someone can be so profoundly affected that he completely changes his whole belief system. But this is yet another illustration of how God’s power can turn his fiercest opponent into his greatest advocate. Saul was determined to eliminate this threat to established religion, and yet God turned all that energy and ability toward spreading the Gospel. God will lead (or push!) us in the direction he wants us to take, and with open hearts and minds, trusting in him, we, too, can be instruments in doing his will.
Inspired by God’s power to make changes!
Your friend in Christ,
Mary Rogers