October 23
Bible Reading: Acts 22:6-16
Acts 22:6, “As I was on my way and drew near to Damascus, about noon a great light from heaven suddenly shone around me.”
It all happened when they drew near to Damascus. They’d traveled about 150 miles from Jerusalem, a 5-6 day journey. Some believers, fleeing the great persecution in Jerusalem, undoubtedly traveled the same path along the King’s Highway. Saul, having learned of the presence of these disciples, was on a mission to capture them and bring them back to Jerusalem for punishment.
The encounter happened suddenly, around noon, when the sun was at its brightest. Yet, when the light from heaven shone upon Saul, it was far brighter (Acts 26:13). This light didn’t just illuminate him; it enveloped him in the glory of Jesus. Saul’s zealous efforts to eradicate Jesus’ followers came to an abrupt halt when he met the Savior. Though he lost his physical sight, he gained spiritual enlightenment, leading to his miraculous transformation from Christian-hater to beloved Apostle.
Your conversion experience may not have been as dramatic in the physical sense, but it was just as miraculous and included the same essential elements. “The god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:4). You were darkened in your understanding. By the work of the Spirit, your eyes were opened to both the ugliness of your sin and the beauty of Jesus (John 16:8). The same God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” shone in your heart “to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:6). As with Paul, every believer has shared in the same eye opening experience by the Spirit to the glory of Jesus.
It is a work of the Spirit to open blind eyes to the glory of Jesus!
AMAZING GRACE
Amazing grace! how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch; like me!
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!
The Lord hath promised good to me,
His word my hope secures;
He will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures.
When we’ve been there ten thousand years,
Bright shining as the sun,
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
Than when we first begun.
LookingtoJesus 