Blinded by Light: Saul’s Awakening and Ours

Saul’s Zeal and Hypocrisy

Welcome back. Today, we’re reading Acts 9–10. The opening act of this drama begins with:

“Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest.” (Acts 9:1, NIV)

Most Christians know Saul will become Paul, the apostle who wrote thirteen or fourteen books of the New Testament. But before we get to his conversion, we need to understand who he was.

Saul was a “Hebrew of Hebrews,” circumcised on the eighth day, from the tribe of Benjamin (Philippians 3:5). He was a Pharisee, the son of Pharisees (Acts 23:6), trained under Gamaliel—a respected rabbi known for his moderation (Acts 5:34–39). Saul was well-versed in the Law, which makes his murderous threats contradict Exodus 20:13: “You shall not murder.”

This spiritual blindness led him to seek permission from the Sanhedrin to persecute followers of “the Way”—a reference to Jesus’ declaration in John 14:6: “I am the way and the truth and the life.”

Seeking the Wrong Heaven

The Bible teaches us to seek Jesus as the Truth and the Life. That means living in obedience, not just pursuing heaven as a destination. Jesus taught that even lust is adultery of the heart, which is a higher truth (Matthew 5:28). And Paul reminds us we were dead in our sins until reborn in Christ, needing the life Jesus offers(Ephesians 2:1).

But just like Saul—and many today—we often focus on Jesus as the Way to heaven, rather than the Truth to follow or the Life to live.

I’m reminded of a verse from the Eagles’ song “The Last Resort:”

“And you can see them there / On Sunday morning / Stand up and sing about / What it’s like up there / They call it paradise / I don’t know why / You call someplace paradise / Kiss it goodbye.” (1)

We long for paradise, but forget that heaven is only paradise because Jesus is there. Without Him, our sin would stain it. Our goal should not be to follow Jesus just to reach heaven—but to reach heaven so we can be with Jesus.

Saul’s Mission and Misguided Righteousness

Saul wanted to eradicate the movement that followed Jesus. If Jesus was the Son of God, then they had killed the innocent Messiah. The easiest way to suppress the truth was to silence His followers.

Gamaliel had said that if Jesus wasn’t God, the movement would fade (Acts 5:38–39). Saul wanted to prove his teacher right. But his spiritual blindness set him on a path he never expected.

The Road to Damascus

For years, I imagined Saul traveling through a dark forest at night, when a light from heaven flashed around him (Acts 9:3). But the real road to Damascus was a Roman-built route—rocky, arid, and open. They traveled by day, not at night. There were no flashlights. No headlights. Just torches and candles.

So when a light from heaven blinded Saul (Acts 9:3), it must have been brighter than the midday sun. He fell to his knees, stunned, and heard Jesus speak. Saul responded immediately, calling Him “Lord” (Acts 9:5).

This wasn’t just a moment of conversion—it was transformation. When Jesus becomes your Lord, your view of the world changes. Sin loses its appeal. But the change isn’t always instant.

Paul later wrote:

“I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.” (Romans 7:15)

We wrestle with sin. First unease, then guilt, then loathing. As we mature, we resist better—but the struggle continues until heaven. Only in His presence will sin lose its grip.

Saul was in His presence. For three days, he was blind (Acts 9:9). When he saw again, the world looked different. He no longer wanted to persecute believers—he became one.

A Testimony Others Could Hear

It’s important to note that those traveling with Saul heard the voice too (Acts 9:7). This wasn’t a private vision—it was a public event. Saul needed help to reach Damascus, where he waited.

When I realized how lost I was, I needed someone to lead me too. Saul’s blindness made him dependent. His transformation began with surrender.

A Mirror for Our Blindness

All this unfolds in the opening verses of Acts 9. There’s much more to say about Saul—and we haven’t even touched Peter yet.

But today, I encourage you to reflect on your own blindness. Maybe not murderous thoughts—but are there areas in your life that contradict the character you claim to hold?

It’s easy to spot hypocrisy in others. Harder to admit it in ourselves. So I pray: “Lord, show me where I’m failing.” Be warned—I rarely like what I see. But at least He gives me the ability to see.

Let’s not walk blindly through life.

Footnotes

The Eagles, “The Last Resort,” Hotel California, 1976. Lyrics quoted under fair use for commentary.