It is Personal

Do we really take seriously how connected we are to the Lord?

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Acts 26:15 – And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.

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Here is a second look in the book of Acts at the conversion of Saul (Paul the Apostle) on the road to Damascus.  Though we’ve looked at it previously, the fact that Holy Spirit saw fit to have Luke write of this incident twice in such detail should speak strongly to us.  I am convinced that if God said it, that settles it.  If He says it one time, that settles it for eternity.  If He says the same thing two times, especially if it is telling about the same event, He has a strong reason for doing so.  There are many great teachings in the Scriptures that arise from Father having spoken something one time.  I can only imagine how important a thing must be if He reiterates that same incident or specific teaching multiple times.  Surely, He is desiring to show us something very important.

The story of Paul’s conversion is related twice in the book of Acts; chapters 9 and 26.  And the statement we read in our Text for Today is clearly stated in both accounts.  We read the words of Jesus concerning Paul’s actions.  In both passages, when Paul asked who it was that was speaking to him, Jesus responded, “I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.”  Just short years before, when He was arrested, beaten, savagely abused, and crucified, Jesus went to the slaughter like a sheep before the shearers.  He did not speak a word in defense of Himself, for He was required by Father to be the ultimate sacrifice; the Lamb of God that took away the sins of the world. 

But that day on the road to Damascus, things were different.  Now Jesus was resurrected.  Now it all belonged to Him again.  The work of redemption was done.  Satan was an outlaw and had no more legal right to dominate man, especially any man or woman who had made Jesus Lord, who had become one with Jesus, and as such, had become a child of God and member of the body of Christ.  No longer would He remain quiet.  And for His infant church, He acted to stop the chiefest of persecutors, Saul of Tarsus.  And when He identified Himself to Saul, He revealed a truth you and I need to embrace.  Because we are now one with Him, members in particular of His body, anything that is done to attack, injure, or destroy any member of His body is a direct action against Him.  He takes all such matters very seriously, and very personally.  You are His.  You belong to Him.  You are a part of Him; His joint heir.  When the enemy of your soul attacks you, he is attacking Jesus, and He takes it personally; very personally.

Manna for Today – Acts 26:12-32; John 17; Isaiah 54:17; Deuteronomy 28:1-14