THE VISION OF JESUS

After a long trip, the tired travelers came near Damascus. Saul saw green fields, beautiful gardens, and trees heavy with fruit. Cool streams ran through the fields and gardens. The travelers were happy to see this beauty after having spent days traveling over dry, empty deserts.SRme 1.1223

While Saul and his friends looked at the beautiful land, suddenly a light, brighter than the sun, flashed around Saul. "Saul fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, 'Saul, Saul! Why do you persecute Me?'SRme 1.1224

'Who are You, Lord?" he asked.SRme 1.1225

"'I am Jesus, whom you persecute,' the voice said" (Acts 9:4, 5, TEV).SRme 1.1226

Saul's friends were afraid. They were almost blinded by the light. Saul's friends heard the voice, but saw no person. But Saul, lying on the ground, understood the words spoken and clearly saw Jesus standing before him. One look, and Saul would always remember that glorious Being.SRme 1.1227

With great force, Saul understood the meaning of Jesus' words. Jesus showed Saul his mistakes. Saul understood that he was only imagining he was serving God by persecuting the believers. Saul now understood that he was really doing the work of Satan.SRme 1.1228

Saul saw how foolish he had been to put his complete trust in the priests and rulers. The priests' sacred position had influenced Saul. Saul believed the priests when they said the story of the resurrection was a lie made up by the disciples.SRme 1.1229

Jesus now opened Saul's mind, and Saul's mind acted very quickly. Saul understood the prophecies of the Scriptures. He saw that the rejection, crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus had been foretold by the prophets. The prophecies of these prophets proved Jesus was the promised Messiah.SRme 1.1230

Saul remembered Stephen's speech just before Stephen died. Saul realized that Stephen had seen the glory of God when Stephen said, "I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God." The priests said Stephen had spoken terrible words against God. Now Saul knew that Stephen had truly seen the kingdom of glory.SRme 1.1231

Great truth had been shown to Saul, the persecutor. Now Saul knew for sure that the Messiah had come to earth as Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus had been rejected and crucified by the people He came to save. Saul knew also that Jesus had risen from the dead and gone to heaven.SRme 1.1232

In that moment of truth, Saul remembered that he had helped kill the holy Stephen. Saul also remembered with terror that he also had sent many other followers of Jesus to a cruel death.SRme 1.1233

Afraid and astonished, Saul asked, "Lord, what do You want me to do?" Saul had no doubt that Jesus of Nazareth, the Redeemer of Israel was the One who spoke to him.SRme 1.1234

Jesus answered and said to Saul, "'Get up and go into the city, where you will be told what you must do'" (Acts 9:6).SRme 1.1235

Saul stood up as soon as the glorious light was gone. Now Saul was totally blind. The brightness of Jesus' glory was too strong for Saul's eyes. Everything was black to Saul. Saul believed that his blindness was punishment from God for persecuting God's people. In terrible darkness, Saul started to walk. Saul could not see where to go. Then Saul's friends, in fear and amazement, led him by the hand to Damascus.SRme 1.1236