Saturday Read: The Road to Damascus - Unlikely Conversions
Saul of Tarsus was Christianity's greatest enemy. Trained under Gamaliel, zealous for Jewish law, convinced followers of "the Way" were dangerous heretics, he obtained permission to arrest Christians in Damascus and bring them bound to Jerusalem (Acts 9:1-2). He wasn't casually opposed to Christianity - he actively sought to destroy it. If anyone seemed permanently unreachable for the gospel, it was Saul.
On the road to Damascus, a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice: "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" He asked, "Who are you, Lord?" The answer changed everything: "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting" (Acts 9:4-5). The one Saul was persecuting was the risen Lord. His zealous opposition to Christianity wasn't defending God - it was fighting God.
The encounter left Saul blind. His companions led him to Damascus where he remained three days without sight, neither eating nor drinking (Acts 9:9). This physical blindness matched his spiritual condition - he'd been blind all along, just convinced he could see. Sometimes God has to take away false sight before granting true vision.
Meanwhile, God sent a disciple named Ananias to restore Saul's sight. Ananias's objection was entirely reasonable: "Lord, I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name" (Acts 9:13-14). Translation: "This man wants to arrest and kill people like me. Why would I help him?"
God's response reveals sovereign purposes: "Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name" (Acts 9:15-16). God had plans for Saul that Saul knew nothing about. The persecutor would become the persecuted. The one who caused suffering would suffer greatly. The enemy of the gospel would become its greatest messenger.
Ananias obeyed despite his fear. He found Saul, placed hands on him, and said, "Brother Saul, the Lord - Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here - has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit" (Acts 9:17). Notice "Brother Saul" - Ananias immediately treated Christianity's greatest enemy as family. Grace creates instant community.
Immediately something like scales fell from Saul's eyes and he could see. He got up, was baptized, ate food, and regained strength (Acts 9:18-19). Then he began preaching in Damascus synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God (Acts 9:20). The transformation was so sudden and complete that people were astonished: "Isn't he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name? And hasn't he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?" (Acts 9:21).
Saul's conversion demonstrates several crucial truths. First, no one is beyond God's reach. If God could convert Christianity's most violent persecutor into its greatest missionary, he can reach anyone. That family member who mocks your faith, that coworker who ridicules Christianity, that friend who seems completely hardened - God can reach them. Saul seemed impossible to convert. God specialized in impossible conversions.
Second, God often uses unlikely people for his purposes. Saul had every credential that should have made him useless for gospel ministry - Pharisee, persecutor, enemy of the church. Yet those very experiences equipped him for unique ministry. His rabbinic training helped him argue from Scripture. His Pharisaical background helped him understand Jewish objections. His Roman citizenship helped him reach Gentiles. What looked like disqualification became qualification.
Third, conversion is God's work, not ours. Ananias didn't convert Saul with persuasive arguments. He simply obeyed God's instruction to restore his sight and fill him with the Spirit. No Christian convinced Saul through debate or demonstrated love. Jesus appeared to him directly, confronted him personally, and transformed him completely. We witness and obey; God converts.
Fourth, conversion often requires temporary blindness. Saul had to lose false sight before receiving true vision. His three days of blindness were preparation for seeing Christ clearly. Sometimes God removes our confidence in our own understanding before revealing truth. You can't see what you're convinced you already see correctly. Blindness precedes sight.
Fifth, restored people become restorers. Ananias risked his life to restore sight to a man who came to Damascus to arrest people like him. This pattern continues - the persecutor became apostle, the destroyer became builder, the enemy became brother. Paul later wrote extensively about God's reconciling work through Christ. He understood reconciliation experientially - he'd been God's enemy and become God's son.
Who seems unreachable to you? Who have you written off as too far gone, too hostile, too hardened? Paul's conversion says no one is beyond God's reach. Keep praying for the Sauls in your life. Keep witnessing despite their hostility. Keep believing God can do impossible things. The road to Damascus proves that God loves taking his greatest enemies and making them his greatest servants.
