I've often heard that when we get to heaven, we may be surprised by who we find there. Saul (later known as Paul) would certainly have surprised many who knew him. For years he had fiercely opposed Christ followers. Saul described his own conversion experience as an “untimely” birth and the “last” of the apostolic resurrection appearances by Christ (1 Cor. 15:8).

Saul was not seeking a relationship when the risen Christ confronted him on his way to Damascus. He was going there to arrest Jesus’ followers and take them back to Jerusalem as his prisoners (vv. 1–2). The only visual element that Luke mentions in this account is a glorious “light from heaven,” but the voice that spoke to Saul declared, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting” (vv. 5–6). After Saul arrived in Damascus, a disciple named Ananias also heard Jesus in a vision. He was told to go and meet Paul at “the house of Judas on Straight Street” to baptize him and explain the nature of his apostolic calling (vv. 10–16). Ananias confirmed that what had happened on the Damascus road was an “appearance” of Jesus (v. 17).

Saul had been temporarily blinded during this encounter and had to be led by hand into the city (vv. 8–9). When Ananias prayed for Saul, “something like scales” fell from his eyes (v. 18). This served a symbolic purpose, helping Saul understand the spiritual significance of what had happened. It was also an illustration of the mission Jesus had outlined for him: “to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me” (Acts 26:18).

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