On the Road to Imprison Christ Followers.

1Ti 1:16  Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. 

Paul, a pattern- A pattern of JESUS' LONGSUFFERING towards all of us!

Act 9:1  And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, 

Act 9:2  And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. 

Very vocal, Paul (Saul) talked greatly against Christ's followers. He threatened them, he talked of slaughtering them.

Take a moment to really let that sink in.

Today here in America it is common to read in the news about terrorist led threatening to destroy all Americans, calling America the great Satan and so on and so forth. We hear about various terrorist threatening various countries they're at odds with. We can comprehend threatening and a desire to slaughter, and it's not something we enjoy hearing. Paul was VERY loud in his desire to slaughter all Christ followers. This wasn't a passing fancy for him. He wasn't just following a crowd of others. He wanted to lead a charge against Christ followers. Just think what that had to be like for Paul. The mindset he had that filled him with a murderous rage against people he didn't even know. All Paul did know was they weren't following His ways but the ways of one His leaders had crucified. If the leader had to be crucified it stood to reason that all the followers of that leader needed to die as well, right? They had to stamp out all this awful blasphemy before it got out of control and infected more and more the Jewish people. This was what Paul was so upset about- Jesus was born a Jew- circumcised a Jew on the eighth day just as he was. Jesus was raised in the synagogue in the ways of the Jewish faith. Jesus' followers were also mostly Jewish and to lead people away from what Paul perceived was the truth was worthy of death.

Paul was a blatant murderer who wanted more people murdered- though to himself it was a justifiable death and not really murder at all.

Going to the High Priest, Paul wanted permission- written permission to go further to another city to root out more of the evil Christ followers plaguing them. He wanted to gather them up and bring them back to Jerusalem to be imprisoned.  He was on a holy mission, he believe God wanted him to do this thing and he was going to stay true to God and do all he could.

Given permission, and most likely the blessing and gratitude of the High Priest, Paul left on his holy crusade.

Act 9:3  And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven

Act 22:6  And it came to pass, that, as I made my journey, and was come nigh unto Damascus about noon, suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me. 

Act 26:12  Whereupon as I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests, 

Act 26:13  At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me. 

Remember- Paul was on his way to persecute Christ followers, his heart was set on his mission.

Suddenly at noon a GREAT light, greater than the light of the sun, enveloped Him and those around him.

Out of nowhere he was in the intense spotlight of supernatural light, light from a source other than the sun- it was BRIGHTER than the sun. Such a light!

Have you ever been put in a spotlight? I literal one? How about the spotlight of someone's flashlight? You can comprehend a bright light suddenly shining on you, yes? You don't keep moving, you are taken off guard, you are shocked even if it's only for a few moments. Paul was thrust in the light of God.

More on this tomorrow, by the GRACE of our LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST!!!!!!! Now and forever!!! In His love!