A Fascinating and Important Connection
In Acts 9, Saul has been given authority to find people who are associated//belong to "the Way" and bring them "bound to Jerusalem." This early identification of the follower's of Jesus is surely because Jesus declares himself as "the way" to the father. And now, a campaign of persecution begins.
In this project where Saul captures and brings people to Jerusalem he has an amazing and life-changing experience. As he travels he experiences a light from heaven that was discernible as different from the sun and heard a voice from heaven speak directly to him.
Saul hears a specific message from this voice (as do his companions: Acts 9:7) that is addressed only to him . Th voice asks a question: "Saul, why are you persecuting me?" This is a fascinating and curious question. How is it that Saul is persecuting Jesus?
It is CLEAR that Jesus declares that as Saul is persecuting those who are his followers that Saul is persecuting Jesus. There is a fascinating connection in how Saul is treating the follower's of Jesus and how he is treating Jesus. Do we acknowledge this fascinating connection when we consider how we might be treating other follower's of Jesus? This is a serious question!!
APPLICATION: How should this truth affect the way we relate and treat other follower's of Jesus?