A Price to Pay, A God to Glorify

Apostle Paul, on a mission to spread the gospel, was confronted by those who knew him. They were weeping and Paul said, “What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? For I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die for the name of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 21:13).

Paul continued on his mission to tell people about Jesus when soldiers and armed guards immediately took him and commanded that he be bound with two chains, and the multitude of the people ran behind yelling out loud, “take him away” (Acts 21:33-36). As Paul was led into the castle, he asked the captain if he could speak. Paul said, “aren’t you the person who caused an uproar when you led into the wilderness four thousand men who were murderers” (Acts 21:38)? Paul said, I’m a nobody. I have no home or city to call my own. May I speak to the people?

Given permission to speak, Paul spoke to the people in a language they all could understand. Paul told the people that he was just like them. Having a zealousness toward God and a respect for the law (Romans 10:1-3). Having a degree of respect in the community as a “good, upstanding citizen in society”. I persecuted in this manner, unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women. I worked with the high priest and carried out instructions from the elders to deliver people up for punishment. I was a “good” person. I persecuted as many Christians as possible. Paul said that he violently persecuted Christians and persecuted the church beyond measure (Galatians 1).

Then, suddenly, while on a journey one day a bright light shone all around Paul. He fell to the ground and heard a voice call his name saying “Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me”? Paul (whose name was Saul at the time) said “who art thou”? Jesus said, “I am He whom thou persecutest (Acts 9:4-5). Swiftly, Paul asked Jesus what is it you want me to do?

The Lord already had Paul’s life planned. Those the Lord foreknew; He also did predestinate (Romans 8:29). You know the story, Paul was shipwrecked three times spending a night and a day in the deep, stoned, whipped, beaten (2 Corinthians 11:25) and thrown in jail where through a window a basket and rope was given him to make a way for his escape (2 Corinthians 11:33). Paul was beheaded at the order of Nero (Revelation 20:4), who died himself months later.

But I digress; the Lord had already prepared a man who was just up the road, Ananias, a devout man, according to the law of Moses and told him that Paul was coming and to return eyesight to Paul and tell Paul that He was chosen by God to know His will and to hear the voice of His mouth. You shall become a witness unto all men (Acts 22:14-15).