“Halt! About Face! Forward march!”

Wednesday 10-26-16  Martínez, Argentina

Today we read: Job 17 and Acts 24 -26

S.  Acts 26:9-11 “I used to believe that I ought to do everything I could to oppose the followers of Jesus of Nazareth.  Authorized by the leading priests, I caused many of the believers in Jerusalem to be sent to prison. And I cast my vote against them when they were condemned to death.

Vs 12 "One day I was on such a mission to Damascus, armed with the authority and commission of the leading priests.

Vs 17-18 “Jesus said to me, ‘I am going to send you to the Gentiles, to open their eyes so they may turn from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God. Then they will receive forgiveness for their sins and be given a place among God's people, who are set apart by faith in me.’”  NLT

O.  The fervent, young Pharisee, Saul, was on a mission to destroy this “false cult” of Jesus, the Nazarene. Then just outside of Damascus, God blinded him with a laser beam which flattened his whole team. Now physically blind, Jesus opened his spiritual eyes and his ears, turning him 180 degrees. “Halt! About face! Forward march!” This young man was now on a mission to carry the ‘Jesus message’ to save the lost in heathen lands. 

A.  “About face!” It’s a military command to marching soldiers. I wonder how many Christians Saul had sent to torture and a cruel death. Damascus was his next mission, but now within days he was on another mission preaching Jesus, the Messiah, in Damascus.  Probably some Christians thought it was a trick to get them out of their hiding places.  Would I have trusted this killer? 

P.  Lord, it is obvious that You detected the fervor and determination of a “soldier” that was marching in the wrong direction.  And in a matter of three days You had him marching with the same fervor and determination in the opposite direction.  Dear Jesus, fill me with that same Holy Spirit boldness, fervor and determination! Amen.

Ralph