Pastor Barry's  "Chapter & Verse"  Day 252

September 9;       Acts 9:23;       98/260(III);       ‘His Usefulness Was Over’

Acts 9:23 Now after many days were past, the Jews plotted to kill him

The Lord Jesus told us in John 8:44 that satan was a murderer.  Saul, who became the Apostle Paul, was a vessel used by the devil to persecute the church.  In this chapter, Saul ‘meets’ the Lord Jesus on the road to Damascus.  The Lord Jesus, in a great light from heaven appeared and knocked Saul to the ground and Jesus spoke to Saul.  Jesus asked Saul why Saul was persecuting Him.  There is a vital truth here.  The Lord Jesus had fulfilled His earthly ministry, was crucified and rose from the dead.  Jesus was speaking to Saul from heaven.  Jesus asked Saul why are you persecuting Me.  Saul was persecuting Christians.  When you persecute Christians, the body of Christ, you are persecuting Jesus.  The Lord revealed His will for the life of Saul.  Saul was temporarily blinded, and was led to Damascus.  A disciple in Damascus, Ananias, was sent by the Lord to restore the sight of Saul.  Ananias was afraid of Saul, knowing his reputation, but Jesus, in this vision, tells Ananias that Saul is His chosen vessel to preach the Word.  Saul regained his sight, ate some food, spent a few days with the disciples and immediately began to preach that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.  His preaching amazed those who heard Saul, because they knew he persecuted Christians.  After several days, the Jews plotted to kill him.  Saul’s usefulness to the Jews, unwitting tools of the devil that they were, was over.  Hero to hated.  Jesus promotes, satan destroys.