Saul’s Encounter with Jesus
Have you ever experienced a moment when everything you thought you knew was suddenly turned upside down? When your carefully constructed plans were interrupted by something, or someone, greater than yourself?
In the biblical account of Saul’s conversion, we witness one of history’s most dramatic life interruptions. This isn’t just a story about a man getting knocked off his high horse, it’s a moment where heaven literally touched earth, changing not only one man’s life but the course of human history.
Who Was Saul Before His Encounter?
Saul wasn’t just some random bad guy. He was a passionate, zealous Pharisee who would do anything for God—including murdering people who he believed blasphemed God. The first time we see him in Scripture, he’s standing guard over the clothing of those stoning Stephen to death.
The problem wasn’t that Saul was inherently evil. Rather, most everything he knew about God was tragically wrong. He had been taught incorrectly and brought up with a distorted view of who God was and what God wanted.
From the outside, it appeared Saul was too far gone.
He had:
Power and authority
Religious backing
Passionate zeal
A mission to destroy followers of Jesus
He was barreling down the road to Damascus with one goal: to destroy anyone and everyone who claimed the name of Jesus. To the early Christians, he seemed unstoppable.
What Happens When God Makes an Appointment?
Just when everything seemed hopeless for the early Christians, God stepped in. This is what we might call a “but God” moment, when Jesus makes an appointment with you, and whether you want to or not, you’re going to show up.
God makes an appointment with everyone who ever was and ever will be. The question isn’t whether we’ll show up to our appointment, we all do. The question is: what will we do with the information we receive when we get there?
Saul’s Divine Appointment on the Damascus Road
In Acts 9, we find Saul approaching Damascus, still “breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord.” He was so close to the city he could probably see the buildings on the horizon, likely planning who he would target first and how he would make an example of them.
And then, Scripture says, “suddenly a light shone around him from heaven.”
This wasn’t just a little twinkle in the sky. Paul later describes it as “a light brighter than the sun” (Acts 26:13). This supernatural, blinding glory exploded around Saul, throwing him to the ground.
How Does Jesus Confront Those Who Oppose Him?
As Saul lay face-down in the dirt, a voice called his name—not once, but twice: “Saul, Saul.” This double calling echoes other personal divine encounters in Scripture (Abraham, Moses, Samuel), making it intensely personal.
Then came the question that tore Saul’s world apart: “Why are you persecuting me?”
Notice Jesus didn’t ask, “Why are you persecuting my followers?” or “Why are you causing trouble for the church?” He said, “Why are you persecuting ME?”
This reveals something profound: Jesus takes it personally when you attack His children. When you mess with His church, you’re messing with Him directly.
The Moment of Recognition
Terrified but recognizing divine authority, Saul managed to ask, “Who are you, Lord?”
The answer must have stopped his heart: “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.”
In that single devastating moment, Saul’s entire religious system, everything he had learned, his understanding of God, his life’s mission, his very identity, shattered into a million pieces. The Jesus he had dismissed as a dead criminal was alive, speaking to him, surrounded by glory brighter than the sun.
What Happens After God Interrupts Your Life?
Jesus gave Saul a simple command: “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”
The hunter became the captive. The man who came with letters of authority to give orders was now taking orders from the One he had been persecuting.
And there was a profound consequence to this divine encounter. When Saul, who prided himself on his insight into the law, got up from the ground and opened his eyes, “he saw nothing.” The man who thought he saw everything clearly enough to kill for it was now physically blind.
For three days, Saul remained in total darkness. No food. No water. Just him, his blindness, and the earth-shattering reality that Jesus is real.
The Purpose Behind the Darkness
God had to stop Saul dead in his tracks, strip him of his sight, strength, and certainty before He could begin to build something new. Sometimes God has to bring us to a place of utter dependence, a place where all our own efforts and understanding fail, so that we can finally truly see Him for who He is.
If you’re going through your own “three days of darkness”, if God has interrupted your plans, challenged your certainties, and left you feeling lost, confused, or broken—take heart. It’s often in that very brokenness that God does His best work of preparation.
Life Application
God rarely stops someone in their tracks without having something new in store for them. If your life seems to be going off the rails and you don’t know what to do, remember that God already knows what’s happening and has already planned what comes next.
He rarely brings someone to their knees without an intention of how to lift them back up.
Ask yourself these questions:
Have I ever had a “but God” moment when my life was interrupted by a divine encounter?
If I claim to follow Jesus, would others know it by my words and actions?
Am I currently in a period of darkness or confusion that God might be using to prepare me for something new?
What might God be trying to strip away from my life so He can rebuild something better?
Remember, surrendering to God isn’t just about saying a prayer,
it’s about being willing to walk a new path. If you’re facing problems you can’t handle, bring them to God. He’s already working on the next step, preparing the next part of your incredible story of transformation.
God isn’t finished with Saul’s story yet, and He isn’t finished with yours either.