We’ve all been there. The Damascus moment comes when a deeply held truth or belief is suddenly shattered. It’s never expected. It just happens. It’s always shocking. You’re living the Damascus moment.
If you know much about the Bible, you know what a Damascus moment is. It comes from Acts chapter 9 and Saul of Tarsus. Saul was a devoted, passionate Jew. Elsewhere, he describes himself as a Hebrew of Hebrews (Philippians 3:5). Christianity had exploded into the ancient world. In Jerusalem, in Acts 2, God added 3,000 people to the church on the very first day, and that was just the beginning. 2 chapters later, the number of the men alone would be about 5000 (Acts 4:4).
Who is Saul
The first time we meet Saul, he’s killing a Christian (Acts 7:58). Having approved of that execution, he next becomes the best-known persecutor of the early church (Acts 8:1-3).
Unfortunately, we overlook the “why” of Saul’s aggression against the church. He wasn’t a raving pagan, but he was a devout Jew. In his ignorance, Saul thought he was defending the faith God revealed at Sinai. He sought to stop a heresy that threatened the very faith which he held dear. Later, he would confidently assert that he had a clear conscience before God. (Acts 23:1). In the integrity of his heart, Saul thought he was doing the right thing.
But he was wrong.
Saul did not know it but God had chosen him to play a pivotal role in the newly established church.
The persecutor was about to become the preacher (Galatians 1:13, 23).
The Damascus Moment
The ancient city of Damascus lay about 170 miles north of Jerusalem. Many new Christians fled Jerusalem because of Saul’s persecutions (Acts 8:1-3). Saul would have none of that. He would pursue these heretics to the ends of the earth if necessary. He asked the rulers for permission to pursue and arrest Christians who’d fled to Damascus.
He set out in the company of several men to find the Christians. Probably on the second day of his trip he was getting close to the city. Suddenly, about noon and with no warning, he was blinded by a brilliant light from heaven. It drove him to the ground and rendered him powerless. A voice, coming from nowhere and everywhere at once, called to Saul. The persecutor could only stammer out a response, “Who are you, Lord?” (Acts 9:5) “I am Jesus” came the reply (vs. 5).
That was the moment. Jesus wasn’t dead as he thought! He was alive and speaking to him personally! That was Saul’s Damascus moment.
Jesus confronted Saul. There could be no denying it. He was wrong!
Like Saul, when we are devout and passionate but in error, we experience a Damascus moment.
When fresh eyes discover a Biblical truth that clashes with our previous beliefs, that’s a Damascus moment.
Like Saul, we have a choice. We can ignore the truth before us and suffer certain consequences. Or we can accept the truth, conform to it, and be blessed. There is no middle ground.
Truth can be ignored or rejected but it cannot be eliminated.
What about you? Have you been to Damascus lately? What truth has exploded upon you? <ore importantly, what are you going to do about it?
I would be most grateful if you would leave a comment below. Any applause, criticism, thought, or request would be appreciated.
My Damascus moment was when Jonathan said the 1st 5 books, written by Moses, was written FOR the Israelites. That made so much sense. I see the study of those 5 books so much differently now. Blew me away!!