God Saves a Terrorist

There were more terrorist bombings this week. Just  a few days ago there were two suicide car bombs that were detonated in Damascus,  with numerous deaths and injuries.   What could be in a terrorists heart, to intentionally take the lives of innocent people, all in the name of religion? For those of us professed Christians, knowing ours is a belief which is motivated by love and demonstrated by love, senseless killing to promote our cause would be counterproductive.  

The people of Damascus continue to be terrified, and well they should, that there will be additional bombings. More of their citizens will be in danger, more of their buildings destroyed. We only have to remember how we felt when we saw the towers fall and burn, to understand their fears. 

A long time ago, there was another terrorist named Saul who was traveling to Damascus. He was a highly educated man and strong in his beliefs. He was concerned about the spread of Christianity in the world and he was doing everything he could to prevent it. That included the killing of followers of Jesus as well as persecution and more murderous threats against the Lord's church. His mission in Damascus was to find men and women who professed to be followers of Jesus, and take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. 

Saul's travels brought him closer to Damascus but suddenly there was a bright light from heaven that flashed all around him and he fell to the ground. He heard a voice that said, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?"  Saul questioned whose voice was speaking to him. "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do." Saul had to be helped by those traveling with him. He was blind and had to be led into the city. We are also told with the passing of three days he did not eat or drink anything. 

In Damascus there was a servant of the Lord named Ananias. He was instructed by the Lord in a vision to, "Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight."  Ananias tried to get out of this task, because he knew the reputation of Saul, and he had heard of Saul's mission on this trip. He was further told, " Go. This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name."

Hold on a minute. God wants to use a terrorist to be his chosen messenger to all of Israel? That's what it says in Acts 9. The story concludes with Ananias announcing to Saul, "Jesus has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit. "  Saul was baptized and the next time we see him, he is preaching Jesus in the synagogues of Damascus. You know him best as Paul the apostle, church planter, letter writer, and saved sinner. 

Two things which I want you to see from this story. 1. God can take even the worst of men and change their hearts and their mission.  2. There would be a lot less terrorism in our nation and our world, if we spoke to others the gospel story, and demonstrated willingly the love of God  in our lives. 

<ronbwriting@yahoo.com>