0829. Saul of Tarsus

Saul of Tarsus

"Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews" (Act_20:19).

1. Saul's pride. Perhaps the proudest spirit and the strongest will that ever swayed any one, was found in the young man Saul. With threatenings and slaughter in his heart against the disciples of the Lord, he had gone unto the high priest and secured letters of authority that he might go to Damascus in quest of any who followed Christ and the Heavenly Way.

Saul knew no pity and felt no remorse. Ruthlessly he purposed to bring men or women bound to Jerusalem.

2. Saul's humiliation. As Saul journeyed and came near unto Damascus, "Suddenly there shined round about him a light from Heaven; and he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou Me?" Immediately Saul cried, "Who art Thou, Lord?" The response was, "I am Jesus Whom thou persecutest."

When Saul arose from the earth and opened his eyes, he could see nothing. The proud-hearted young man was led by the hand and brought into Damascus. For three days he neither ate nor drank. Then Ananias was sent that he might receive his sight and be filled with the Spirit.

It is a beautiful picture as we see the scales falling from the eyes of Saul, and as we see him arising and going forth to be baptized.

From that day until the day of Saul's martyrdom he served the Lord with all humility of mind and with many tears and temptations which befell him through the plots of the Jews. He counted no task too hard, no service too irksome. He declared the whole counsel of God, and paid the full price of a true service.

Paul the Apostle was never ashamed to sign himself, Paul, the bondslave of Jesus Christ.

3. Paul's exaltation. When the aged Apostle came near to his death he saw lying before him a crown of righteousness which the Lord would give him in that day. He humbled himself and God exalted him–exalted him in his earth life, by permitting him to suffer as few men ever have to suffer. God exalted him by making him a channel through whom the great bulk of the New Testament was given to the world. God exalted him finally to His side, in the Glory, where he awaits the hour when he shall receive his fullness of reward. May God help each of us to humble our hearts, for God will surely abase the proud, but He will lift up the humble.

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR