Saul Asks Jesus, "What Wilt Thou Have Me To Do?" - Part 2269

Jesus said to Ananias -- "Go thy way; for he [Saul] is a chosen vessel unto Me, to bear My Name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel ... for I will shed him how great things he must suffer for My Name's sake." (Acts 9:15-16)

Remember, Saul had just been blinded by a bright light, and not just him, but those who accompanied him on the road to Damascus as well. Herein, Saul asks, "Who art Thou, Lord?" How does the Lord respond? He tells Saul, "I AM JESUS whom thou persecutes; [it is] hard for thee to kick against the pricks."

Trembling and astonished both, he asks the Lord. "What wilt Thou have me to do?" And the Lord said unto Saul, "Arise, and go into the city and it shall be told thee what thou must do." (Acts 9:1-8)

Of course, by this time, the men which journeyed with Saul stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man. Saul arises from the earth, and when his eyes were opened, he too saw no man, but they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. For the record, Saul was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.

I will stop there and ask -- how many of us who profess to believe ask the Lord to establish our steps, or even the question that Saul asked of Jesus, "What wilt Thou have me to do?" Now we know that Saul goes to see Ananias, and is water baptized, and strengthened by the Word. Why? Because he had received meat. Therein Saul stayed with the disciples which ere at Damascus for certain days.

And immediately there all from his eyes, as it had been scales, and he received sight forthwith. And straightway, as the scripture saith, Saul preached Christ in the synagogues -- that He was the Son of God. All that heard him speak were amazed because Saul's reputation for persecuting the believers went before him. Indeed, these asked, "Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this Name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests?"

But as we see, Saul increased there in strength, confounding the Jews which dwelt in Damascus, proving that this is very Christ. (Acts 9:22) Later, as Saul continues to be strengthened, he becomes known as Paul, and pressed in the spirit, testifies to the Jews that Jesus is/was the Christ. (Acts 18:5) "For he mightily convince the Jews, and that publicly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ." (Acts 18:28)

Again, when passing through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews; and Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures; opening and alleging that Christ must needs have suffered and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus whom he preached to them is Christ. (Acts 17:1-4)

This same Saul who wouldn't pass a police check in modern day churches today was preaching to people who worshipped an unknown god -- that they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after Him, and find Him, even though he be not far from everyone of us -- "for in Him we live, and move, and have our being" ... as certain also of your own poets have said, "For we are also His offspring." (Acts 17:16-34)

We see in Saul to apostle Paul a complete transformation. Why? Because he had a ready heart to accept and carry out whatever the Lord Jesus instructed him to do. Remember the question? S/Paul asked the Lord Jesus, "What wilt Thou have me to do?" It's a good question, and certainly one that would make the Lord's heart merry if more of us would do the same. According to His good pleasure, as the scripture states.

Meditate and think upon these things this day. Stand in the offering plate.