Luke the beloved physician wrote how Paul began to give defense for himself before a hostile Jewish crowd in Hebrew by saying, “I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as you all are this day. And I persecuted this way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women. As also the high priest does bear me witness, and all the estate of the elders: from whom also I received letters unto the brethren, and went to Damascus, to bring them which were there bound unto Jerusalem, for to be punished. And it came to pass, that, as I made my journey, and was come near unto Damascus about noon, suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me. And I fell unto the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why persecute you me? And I answered, Who are you, Lord? And he said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you persecute”, and in chapter twenty-two and verse nine of the book of Acts Luke shared how Paul said, “they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid” where we read:
And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid;
but they heard not the voice of him that spoke to me.
The verse begins, “And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid;” Luke began with the words, “and they that were with me” which means “and the men who were alongside and traveling with Saul who was also known as Paul” “saw indeed the light” or “observed, beheld and noticed the bright illumination”, “and were afraid” which means “and became terrified and frightened”. Luke shared how “Paul” told the “Jewish crowd” that his fellow travelers also observed the “brilliant light” and were terrified and frightened.
The verse goes on to say, “but they heard not the voice of him that spoke to me.” Luke continued with the words, “but they heard not” which means “however, moreover, nonetheless and notwithstanding the men traveling alongside Paul were not endowed with the faculty for hearing, perceiving or noticing” “the voice of him” or “the sound or tone of uttered words belonging to Jesus” “that spoke to me” which means “who uttered, declared and proclaimed words to Paul”. Luke shared how “Paul” told the “Jewish multitude” that the men traveling with him were unable to “hear” the words Jesus said to him.
When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we learn how both “Paul” and the men with him saw the “brilliant light”, however, only he “heard” Jesus speaking to him. “Jesus” spoke directly and specifically to “Paul”, and because “Paul” was the “leader” in this persecution effort against Christians, Jesus focused on him. “Paul” had no idea about what God had in mind for his life at that point, but He was going to use “Paul” mightily in His Kingdom. God has a way of taking people who are in the greatest positions against Him and turning them toward Him to be used to share His “gospel” with the world. God loves everyone, and regardless of their past, He is willing to forgive them and grant them everlasting life when they submit to His Son Jesus. Those who are wise will seek to hear the “voice of the Lord” and yield themselves not only to His salvation plan but also for whatever He desires for His purposes.
Next time Luke shares how Paul, “said, what shall I do, Lord?”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or 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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