He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul! Why do you persecute me?" "Who are you Lord?" he asked. "I am Jesus …" Acts 9:4-5, GNT

 

Often when dignitaries or famous people are interviewed, they will be asked if there is any one person, from the past or present, that they would like to meet. It is always interesting to hear who they choose. Some say they would like to meet a political figure, others a famous scientist, a legendary person from the musical world, a famous film star or a sportsperson.

 

Asking myself this question, the first name that came up was Jesus. Maybe not such a good idea,.If I meet Jesus now in person, what would he look like – like the historical Jesus of 2000 years ago, or maybe like the picture in my children’s Bible? Another picture I have in my mind of Jesus is from the book of Revelation. I think it would be better for me to wait until I can meet him in person once I arrive in heaven.

 

Nobody ever asked Saul if he wanted to meet Jesus. On the contrary, Saul was persecuting the church of Jesus and a meeting with Jesus was probably the last thing he wanted. When it did happen on the road to Damascus, he immediately knew that he was in contact with the Lord, but he was very uncertain of what was happening. “Who are you Lord?” he asked. “I am Jesus …” he was told. Nothing more was necessary. Saul immediately knew who Jesus was.

 

This one extraordinary meeting completely changed Saul, and this change was represented in the changing of his name to Paul. His whole life was radically transformed and this meeting had a profound influence on the growth of the church of Jesus Christ in the world. We cannot meet Jesus in person while we are on earth and there may not be a light shining on us like with Paul, but fortunately, we can meet him in the spirit and our lives are just as radically changed by this encounter.

 

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for wanting to meet me as you have done with Paul. Amen