SEEING CLEARLY

Ptr. Erwin Concepcion

September 29, 2019

 

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John 8:31-32 (KJV)

 

               "Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word,                         then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall                         make you free."

 

Reflection:

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Is your vision a bit fuzzy? Have you been deceived by worldly philosophies? Are you willing to be set free by the truth? A hush falls over the synagogue as a fiery Jew stands before the crowd.

 

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Today's speaker: a powerful Pharisee named Saul--the persecutor. It's no secret how Saul feels about Christianity. He detests it. And everyone knows why he has come to the Roman city of Damascus.

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For some time, Saul had been heard breathing out murderous threats against the radical members of the Way--the name given to Christ's disciples. Now he is leading a campaign of repression against them and is determined to bring down his iron fist on their unorthodox teachings.

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Saul's eyes scan the synagogue, studying the faces of his fellow Jews and members of the Law. The words unfold slowly from his lips. "This Man. . . . This man they call Jesus Christ. . . . He is . . ."

 

Yes, Saul, get on with it,another Pharisee tells himself. Tell the crowd that he's a liar and a fraud. Tell them his followers are a bunch of lunatics who should be behind bars.

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Everyone gasps. "Isn't he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem?" a voice shouts from the crowd. "And hasn't he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?" shouts another. Saul emphasizes the truth. "This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Christ," he says. "Repent of your sins. Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved."

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It's a miracle in Damascus! The stern Pharisee who was once bent on blocking the Way . . . now burns a path for the Good News of Christ. The feared persecutor who was once blinded with hate... now sees with a heart focused on love. (Read more in Acts 13.)

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Prayer:

Lord. please reveal what Your "good, pleasing, and perfect will" for my life looks like (Romans 12:2). Guide my steps and give me greater dreams than I could ever imagine on my own. I pray to You, in Jesus Name, Amen.