We are looking at the top ten characters in the New Testament ignoring Jesus and the disciples. At number 1 is Paul, maybe you didn’t expect him as he is not in the gospels.
Paul in the Bible
The Church Persecuted and Scattered – Acts 8:1-3
On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison.
Saul’s Conversion – Acts 9:1-3, 17-19
Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”
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Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength.
Some hypothetical examples are:
The decision to move turned out to be a real road-to-Damascus moment in my life—everything changed after that.
OK, everyone, this could be our road-to-Damascus moment. If they accept our pitch, it could mean a total transformation for our company.
Going to that college ended up being a road-to-Damascus moment for me because I met my now-husband there. I also teach there these days!
And some real examples are – Australian politician Tony Abbott was described as having been “on his own road to Damascus” after pledging increased mental health funding, and a New Zealand drug dealer turned police officer was likewise described as taking “the first step on the road to Damascus.”
Nearer to home, in Episode 3, Season 4 of Downton Abbey, Lady Grantham referred to Lord Grantham’s change of heart towards his daughter Edith’s boyfriend as a Damascene Conversion.
I know of someone who had a heart attack and immediately gave up smoking. Can you think of any where in your life you need a “Damascus Road” experience?