The Road He Chose: The Messenger

His encounter with Jesus did not take place in the quiet of a Jerusalem evening or in the shade beside a Samaritan well. It came after the crucifixion, after the resurrection and after the Day of Pentecost. No doubt he had heard stories of “the prophet from Nazareth,” but had chosen a path of denial.Scripture tells us that he held the garments of those who were stoning Stephen, the first Christian martyr. Persecution had broken out against the followers of Jesus and Saul, as he was known then, traveled with letters from the high priest to bring believers as prisoners back to Jerusalem. But it was on the road to Damascus that Saul encountered the risen Christ who demanded of him  “Why are you persecuting me?”

Rather than a common man, Paul was an educated Jew. His letters to the young churches compose a major part of the New Testament. To Peter had been given the message of Inclusion (Acts:10:1-11), but to Paul, the responsibility of sharing the gospel, shepherding the flock, and bringing the good news of Christianity “to the Jew first but also to the Greek.” His letters, written to the Gentile churches, gave advice, encouragement, and sometimes correction.

To our knowledge, Paul never met Jesus before his experience on the road to Damascus. And so, his letters to the churches open the doors of understanding to those of us who also stand beyond the resurrection.He speaks of love and forgiveness, calls for obedience, everyday diligence and courage in the fire. He reminds them of the peace of God and the assurance of His presence. He speaks to those who were outside the door, but now sit at the table.

His letters remind these Christians of their new identity  - adopted children who can cry “Abba, Father.” They are no longer pagan outsiders but children of Almighty God, co-heirs with Christ. He teaches of the power of the Spirit’s intervention on their behalf and, as fellow believers, on our behalf.

Perhaps the most beautiful and encouraging passage written by Paul was in this letter to the Christians  in Rome. Seated in the midst of paganism and disregard of humankind, Paul reminds them of who they are because of Who God is. ”Those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit does not make you a slave so that you live in fear; rather the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry Abba, Father.” Romans 8: 14-15

“What shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us…In all things we are more than conquerors through Him Who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus, our Lord.” Romans 8:31,37-39

Paul’s encounter with Jesus took him on a road he could not have foreseen. We, too, are called to discipleship. But though the battle still rages, the victory has already been won. May we, like Paul, be able to say “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4:7