Come See

Will it take a miracle?

There is hope in a lost world for the very person that you may be most worried about.

There is also hope for the very person that you maybe dread the most. The person that might make your life difficult or who causes you constant stress.

I was that person for some people.

Have you ever felt like your life went off the rails?

For me, I didn’t realize it until way after the fact.

What if that one person that you care so much about doesn’t even realize that they are on the wrong track? What if they think you are the problem and it is beginning to look like a lost cause?

Is there hope?

Can things change?

What if it looks like it’s going to take drastic change? Is that even possible?

I would like to share one little story about one of the most influential people in the Bible and the importance of doing what God commands, even when it doesn’t make sense.

When we do that, sometimes we get to see what only God can do, because He is the only one who can do miracles.

Do you need a miracle?

“Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem.

‭‭Acts‬ ‭9:1-2 NIV‬‬

There’s more to this story and we’ll come back to it.

Saul was doing what he thought was right. He was hunting down Christians in order to jail them or kill them. He had witnessed the stoning of the disciple Stephen. Those doing the stoning laid their coats at his feet because they sought his approval.

This event was one of the most dramatic events in the New Testament and when I first read it, I couldn’t imagine the reaction Stephen had towards the very people killing him, especially Saul.

“While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭7:59-60‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Stephen’s death was a major turning point and I think it might get overlooked. It can help lead us to a real breakthrough when it comes to needing a miracle.

I’m sure Saul didn’t expect Stephen’s reaction as they were stoning him to death. No matter how many times I read that story, it is hard for me to imagine having a faith as strong as Stephens. To be able to pray and ask God to forgive the very people stoning you. What great faith.

There were two “visions” in that moment. One was what Stephen saw before he asked God to forgive them.

“But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.””

‭‭Acts‬ ‭7:55-56‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Jesus had already been crucified and had risen from the dead, but Stephen was allowed in that moment to see Jesus standing at the right hand of God in heaven.

I believe that changed his whole perspective. He no longer feared death and cared more about the lost souls throwing stones than he did his own life.

I truly believe any time we start to see Jesus for who He really is, it changes our perspective on situations and people.

But there was another “vision” seen by someone at Stephen’s death.

Saul stood there and watched Stephen being stoned. He was responsible for his death and it must have been a shock for him to watch the man he ordered put to death, crying out to God to forgive “him.” Saul thought he was doing the right thing. He thought Stephen was a heretic and deserved death.

Can you imagine what Saul may have been thinking?

“Why would this heretic ask God to forgive me? I haven’t done anything wrong.”

This story has a valuable lesson and these two individuals can help us to look into our own lives and gain a perspective which just might help us to see a miracle happen that we might long for.

Let’s ask the tough questions.

Have you ever thrown stones at people?

I’m not talking about physical stones, I would hope you don’t do that. What I’m talking about are insults, put-downs or criticism. Or do you allow others to do it without saying something to stop it? These are the types of stones that we throw at people, often the ones we love, that can kill a relationship.

I want you to think about your most difficult relationship with someone you love.

Would they describe you as a stone thrower?

I’ve thrown more stones than I can remember. There’s an old famous saying that I’m sure most people have heard before.

“Those who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones”

But there was a far more famous version of that saying in the Bible.

“The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him. But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground. At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” “No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.””

‭‭John‬ ‭8:3-11‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Who can fully comprehend the power of grace?

The woman in this story needed a miracle and she found one in Jesus.

This was one of many powerful scenes from The Passion of the Christ.

If you lean towards legalism let this be a warning.

These “teachers of the Law” were quick to condemn a woman they caught while hiding their own sins from the public.

I have often wondered what Jesus wrote in the sand that made all of them throw down their stones and walk away. The Bible says the older ones went away first.

Why?

Maybe they saw what he was writing and were smart enough to know that if their sins were made public, they too would be stoned.

Who would ever want all of their dirty laundry exposed to the world? The weight of regret is a burden that almost everyone carries and mostly alone. Don’t we all need grace?

I would like to ask a question to help this go a little deeper.

Has anyone that you care about, ever shared something deeply personal and traumatic that nobody else knows about? Something that is heartbreaking and completely changes your view of them in light of what they’ve been through? Something that might explain their struggle with addiction or their behavior? When this happens, a deeper relationship develops and your heart cries out for them. You end up sharing the burden that they have carried for so long by themselves.

I used to lead a men’s Bible study group many years ago and I remember one time when I was overwhelmed with grief. Within about a two week span, several guys in the group shared something with me that they had gone through which completely changed who they were. These traumatic events changed the course of their lives and they were still dealing with it many years later. One was going through a literal nightmare that is the worst possible thing you could think of.

I cried every day. A mentor of mine could see the burden I was carrying in my face. (I’m no poker player and never will be.)

He told me that God never asked me to take up their burden myself. Jesus is the one who lifts the heavy burdens. He’s the miracle worker, not me. It was a great reminder and that whole experience taught me something.

As another old saying goes. Don’t judge a book by its cover. None of us know fully, what another person has been through in this life. God gets the last word when it comes to someone else’s life. He’s shown me in my own life that he can change anybody.

I am a miracle. You are too my friend.

Who in our lives needs a miracle?

Now let’s get back to that story about Saul on the road to Damascus. He was on his way to arrest some more Christians. Are there people in your life that you care about who might be antagonistic towards your faith? Has it created difficulty or distance?

There’s still hope.

“Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?””

‭‭Acts‬ ‭9:1-4‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Saul was on a journey and “suddenly” a light from heaven flashed which was so bright that he fell to the ground and then he heard a voice.

“Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”

His life was about to take a dramatic change. What did Saul then ask? He asked one of the greatest questions in the entire Bible. The same question every single believer has asked and the question that every future believer will also ask.

““Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.

I remember asking that same question. I already believed there was a God but had no idea who Jesus was. I was just as lost as Saul

“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭9:5‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“Who are you Lord?”

Jesus will always respond to that question if we are sincerely seeking Him.

I asked Jesus that question after hearing and understanding the Good News. Nobody needed to tell me I was a sinner, what I needed to hear was that there was a Savior who loved me. It changed my life forever. It was a miracle and my life has never been the same. I’m still learning who Jesus is as my relationship grows with Him every year.

We are all on the same journey. We all have our own Damascus road experience as believers and what we are hoping is that others will reach that same spot where everything changes.

Don’t miss how Jesus spoke to Saul even though he was hunting down and killing people whom Jesus knew and loved. Jesus spoke his name in a way that was endearing in spite of his actions.

He said, “Saul, Saul.”

That’s Jesus showing compassion for Saul in spite of his actions. It reminded me of my pastor at our church in Washington state. He used to call me “Joe, Joe.” Not all the time, just when we were alone or he was checking in on me and wondering how I was doing. He was a great mentor for me and I could trust him because he always had my best interest at heart.

Jesus had Saul’s best interest at heart and wanted to help him, so He gave him clear instructions. The Bible is full of instructions that we should do our best to apply to our lives. God’s instructions are for our best benefit.

Jesus told Saul exactly what to do.

““Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭9:6-9‬ ‭NIV‬‬

This event was Saul’s “traumatic event.” It would change the direction for his life completely. The light had been so bright that Saul was blinded by it.

How many people do we know that are just blind towards the fact that Jesus loves them? If they only knew Him? Wouldn’t that change everything for them?

The men with Saul helped him into town and Saul didn’t eat or drink anything for three days as he waited for more instructions. Here’s where another person enters the story who will teach us something valuable.

“In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!” “Yes, Lord,” he answered. The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.””

‭‭Acts‬ ‭9:10-12‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Unlike Saul, Ananias did know Jesus and had a relationship with him already. Jesus spoke to him in a “vision.” Jesus could see Saul praying continuously and gave him a “vision” that Ananias would come to him and restore his sight.

How did Ananias respond to Jesus instructions?

““Lord,” Ananias answered, “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 ‭NIV‬‬

Saul already had a very bad reputation. Ananias feared helping Saul, not understanding that a miracle was about to happen. This is a valuable lesson. Sometimes doing what Jesus says to do doesn’t make sense, given the situation or the person involved. What does it mean to take a “step of faith?” That means doing what Jesus says even in difficult circumstances and trusting that He has everything else figured out. Is it easy? No. If it were, then it wouldn’t be a miracle. If you read the Sermon on the Mount you will see the high level of instruction that Jesus presented for us to truly live by faith.

Ananias had a choice.

“But the Lord said to Ananias, “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 ‭NIV‬‬

Saul was a “chosen instrument.” He was chosen to proclaim Jesus name, which means, “The Lord saves” to the Jews in the synagogues and to the entire Roman Empire. Jesus had a plan for his life and he was valuable.

If Jesus can use a man who was hunting down and killing His followers as a “chosen instrument, then why can’t Jesus use anybody?

Can Jesus use the person in your life that you think will never change. Could Jesus use them to proclaim His name to people in their lives? It would take a miracle, right?

Maybe we need to help that miracle happen rather than hinder it. Maybe we can be the the “Ananias” in their life that models Jesus love and grace to them and then let Jesus handle the rest.

“Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he 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 ‭NIV‬‬

Real love is a powerful thing. Most people can sense whether you really love them.

Ananias called Saul “brother” and had also placed his hands on him so that he could have his sight restored. Let me tell you, if you are not a “hugger,” take the first steps to become one. The power of a hug when someone really needs it is immeasurable and there is no better way to express brotherly love.

Ananias stepped out in faith and did something that didn’t make sense and was more than uncomfortable for him.

Will we take a step of faith and do the same in order to change someone’s life?

I hope so.

So what happened to Saul after his sight was restored?

“Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength. Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus. At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. All those who heard him were astonished and asked, “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?” Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭9:18-22‬ ‭NIV‬‬

How many people in our lives still have the scales over their eyes and can’t see Jesus for who He really is?

A miracle happened and Saul’s life went in the opposite direction. It can happen for anybody. He went from hunting down and killing Christians to preaching that Jesus was the Messiah to anyone that would listen. Miracles only happen when God is involved and they are life changing.

But that’s not the end of this story.

Something important happened to Saul that is important and shouldn’t be missed.

He was now known as Paul instead of Saul. He was born again. The “old” Saul had passed away and the “new” Paul would now share the Gospel with countless believers and write several books of the New Testament.

The name Saul is of Hebrew origin and means “borrowed” or “asked for”. It is the English form of the Hebrew name שָׁאוּל (Sha'ul), which was the name of the first king of Israel in the Old Testament. In the New Testament, Saul was the original Hebrew name of the apostle Paul.

It’s interesting that his Hebrew name means “borrowed” or “asked for.” He was Jesus chosen instrument.

The name Paul is of Latin origin and means “small” or “humble”. It is derived from the Roman family name Paulus or Paullus, which is an adjective meaning “small”, “humble”, “least” or “little”. In the New Testament, Saint Paul was a Christian apostle who was originally known as Saul. He was a highly influential figure in early Christianity and is credited with spreading the gospel throughout the Roman Empire

His Roman name meant small or humble. If you read his writings, he had been completely humbled by Jesus on the road to Damascus and it forever changed his life. Jesus now used him as a Roman citizen to preach the Gospel throughout the Roman Empire.

What a miracle.

Life completely changes when we meet Jesus on a personal level and since I love music, it made me think of one of my favorite songs that describes Jesus.

Wouldn’t it be great, if we could “see” the people in our lives who need a miraculous life change through “spirit eyes”

Let’s pray that they can one day see Jesus through “spirit eyes” and have the scales lifted.

For I too was once blind but now I see.

Blessings my friends and be encouraged.

Jesus loves you!