Acts 22:6-16
This is such an amazing testimony. We read about it earlier in Acts, but hearing it again is astounding. I have to believe that there were possibly some in the crowd who remembered Paul by his former name, Saul. I also have to think that many probably wondered, Whatever happened to that guy? Well, his testimony was certainly filling in some of the blanks—and challenging them as well. They surely knew about Jesus, and His message lived on in the lives He continued to touch even after His death and resurrection.
But what would they do with this information? Did they think Paul was lying? If anyone cared to check the validity of his story, they could seek out Ananias, whom Paul said was deeply devoted to the law and well regarded by the Jews in Damascus.
Ananias’ message from the Lord to “Saul” had to stir them as well, for they were all waiting for the “Righteous One,” as foretold in the Old Testament. Here Ananias was telling Paul that he had been chosen by God to know His will, see the Righteous One, and hear Him speak. That should have gotten everyone’s attention! Paul, true to the word, was simply telling people what he had seen and heard; yet, just like their ancestors, they continued to try to kill the messenger. “See something, say something” wasn’t so well received in this time period.
Witnesses to the facts can be very dangerous to those who are trying to keep the truth from people. Why do you think we have witness protection programs in place? Everyone must decide which side they want to be on. Are we for the truth, or are we against it? If we are for the truth, are we willing to be challenged in our thinking when the truth dislodges some erroneous beliefs we may have? That was the dilemma facing all those within earshot of Paul. The truth was out of the bag, and they could either take the message to heart or dismiss it.
How about us? What do we do when we are challenged in our thinking? Do we truly want to know the truth, or would we rather remain pacified in our delusion? To know the truth, we must seek it, for “the world” will not readily offer it to us. Yet if we seek the One who is Truth, He says that we will know the truth, and the truth will set us free.
Perhaps the greater question is not simply whether we have heard the truth, but whether we are willing to allow it to change us. Paul had been forced to confront the possibility that everything he believed about Jesus was wrong. When confronted with the Truth Himself, he surrendered. The crowd listening to him was now being given that same opportunity. And every time God’s truth confronts something within us that needs to change, so are we.
But what would they do with this information? Did they think Paul was lying? If anyone cared to check the validity of his story, they could seek out Ananias, whom Paul said was deeply devoted to the law and well regarded by the Jews in Damascus.
Ananias’ message from the Lord to “Saul” had to stir them as well, for they were all waiting for the “Righteous One,” as foretold in the Old Testament. Here Ananias was telling Paul that he had been chosen by God to know His will, see the Righteous One, and hear Him speak. That should have gotten everyone’s attention! Paul, true to the word, was simply telling people what he had seen and heard; yet, just like their ancestors, they continued to try to kill the messenger. “See something, say something” wasn’t so well received in this time period.
Witnesses to the facts can be very dangerous to those who are trying to keep the truth from people. Why do you think we have witness protection programs in place? Everyone must decide which side they want to be on. Are we for the truth, or are we against it? If we are for the truth, are we willing to be challenged in our thinking when the truth dislodges some erroneous beliefs we may have? That was the dilemma facing all those within earshot of Paul. The truth was out of the bag, and they could either take the message to heart or dismiss it.
How about us? What do we do when we are challenged in our thinking? Do we truly want to know the truth, or would we rather remain pacified in our delusion? To know the truth, we must seek it, for “the world” will not readily offer it to us. Yet if we seek the One who is Truth, He says that we will know the truth, and the truth will set us free.
Perhaps the greater question is not simply whether we have heard the truth, but whether we are willing to allow it to change us. Paul had been forced to confront the possibility that everything he believed about Jesus was wrong. When confronted with the Truth Himself, he surrendered. The crowd listening to him was now being given that same opportunity. And every time God’s truth confronts something within us that needs to change, so are we.
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