The physician Luke wrote after Saul's conversion, he was “certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus. And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God”, and in chapter nine and verse twenty-one of the book of Acts Luke shared about Saul, “all that heard him were amazed” where we read:
But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came here for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests?
The verse begins, “But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, ...” Luke began with the words, “but all that heard him were amazed” which means “moreover each, every, the whole and everyone who was endowed with the faculty for hearing, perceiving and understanding Saul were astonished, astounded and put to wits”, “and said” or “and uttered, declared, proclaimed and asked”; “Is not this he that destroyed them” which means “does not this man exist as the one who overthrew, wasted and ravaged the disciples of Jesus” “which called on this name” or “who cried out, summoned and appealed upon the name of Jesus” “in Jerusalem” which means “within the city of Jerusalem whose name means set you double peace and is the capital of Palestine”. Luke shared how people were “astonished” at the preaching and teaching of Saul because they wondered whether he was the one who was “ravaging and wasting” the believers in Jerusalem.
The verse continues, “... and came here for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests?” Luke added the words, “and came here for that intent” which means “and entered the city of Damascus toward the purpose”, “the he might bring them bound” or “so Saul could capture and arrest the disciples of Jesus and carry them” “unto the chief priests” which means “to the high and principle priests”? Luke shared how the people in Damascus knew “Saul” entered their city with the intention to “arrest, tie up, bind and carry” anyone who was a disciple of Jesus to the “high priests”.
When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “Saul” was so effective in preaching that the people knew there was a transformation in him. They wondered how he could have had the intention to “arrest” the disciples of Jesus and carry them to the “high priests” in Jerusalem, and now he was preaching about the very one in whom they believed. God did a wonderful life changing work in “Saul”, and He is able to do this in anyone who yields themselves to His Son Jesus. Regardless of a person's background, Jesus will forgive their sins, grant them everlasting life and use them in His Kingdom. Let all who read these words surrender to Jesus who is in the life transforming business.
Next time Luke shares how, “Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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