“It is of the very nature of the Bible to affront, perplex and astonish the human mind. Hence the reader who opens the Bible must be prepared for disorientation, confusion, incomprehension, perhaps outrage.” —Thomas Merton
There is no , supplement, or shortcut for a genuine with Jesus.
Acts 9:1-2 NIV
Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem.
Encountering Jesus like nothing else can.
“Saul’s Damascus Road experience was “a total conversion: of will, intellect, and emotion which dictated the abiding purpose and direction of his subsequent life and activity.” —Ajith Fernando
Moment of Reflection: In what ways can I make more space for encountering Jesus?
Five Ways Encountering Jesus Reshapes Us—
1. Transformation of
Romans 12:2 NIV
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
Encounter helps us to differentiate between Identity “” vs. Transformational
Questions for Reflection:
Throughout my life, what has shaped the way I see myself?In what way is Jesus inviting me to allow Him to reshape my identity?
Acts 9:8-9 NIV
Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. 9 For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.
2. and
“Truth is sure and strong, and when it seizes us, we inevitably become vulnerable. The truth ought to surprise us and make us weak in the knees. That’s why I can best encounter truth in the context of community. Otherwise I won’t have someone to help me bear the freeing burden of truth… Truth stands before us. She is fragile and inviting, yet relentless and unwavering in her passion to free the heart.” —Dan Allender, Leading with a Limp
Questions for Reflection:
In what ways have I recently felt weak, exposed, insecure, or insufficient?
In what way is Jesus inviting me to allow Him to reshape my identity?
Acts 9:15 NIV
The Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel.
3. New and
“Discipleship is principled direction taken flight by the Holy Spirit. It is the “you have heard it said, but I say to you”—the continued speaking of God bound up in disruption and redirection.” —Willie James-Jennings
“When God chooses to reach the pagan world, the person to do it will be a hard-line, fanatical, ultra-nationalist, super-orthodox Pharisaic Jew. And then they say that God doesn’t have a sense of humour” —NT Wright
Questions for Reflection:
What are some ways God has reshaped my vision and mission? How is Jesus currently fine-tuning His vision & mission in me?
Acts 9:17 NIV
Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”
4. Profound and
John 13:34-35 NIV
A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.
Questions for Reflection:
In the context of my faith community, what persons or type of person do i struggle to love authentically?
How is Jesus inviting me to better reflect his love in my interactions within my faith community?
Acts 9:16 NIV
I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.
5. The Call to and
“When Christ calls a person, he bids them to come and die.” —The Cost of Discipleship
Questions for Reflection:
Was there ever a time I chose comfort or safety over a difficult but morally or biblically right decision? What did I learn from that experience?
What ways might my faith deepen if I fully embraced the idea that following Jesus involves suffering or sacrifice
Acts 9:20-21 NIV
Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus. 20 At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. 21 All those who heard him were astonished