Session 9

You are not who you used to be

From Acts: A 28-Day Devotional

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Saul, a religious leader, meets Jesus and his life completely changes. He takes the name Paul and becomes a traveling missionary preaching the good news about Jesus. 

Have you ever stood at the rim of the Grand Canyon? It’s a powerful experience.

The size of the canyon is almost more than you can fathom. It is difficult to see the other side. The feeling of standing on the rim can best be described as awe. There’s no doubt the vast expanse between one side of the canyon and the other has been created by an incredible God. It is too big, too beautiful to have been made by man’s effort.

The chasm between Saul and Jesus in this chapter is wider than the Grand Canyon. Saul’s life was radically changed when he saw Jesus for who he really is. Everybody could see a difference. Some people were excited and wanted to help Saul in any way they could. Some people wanted to kill him.

The before and after in Saul’s life was too big to miss. His life was dramatically affected by Jesus and that affected others. Nothing was the same for Saul, and it never would be again.

Reflect:

• What does this passage teach us about God? How does it apply to you?
• If Saul, who was religious and kept all the rules, could be an enemy of God, what does that tell us about the idea of being "good enough to come to Jesus"?
• Maybe you didn’t have a dramatic conversion experience like Saul. Think back on your decision to follow Jesus. What happened? How is your life different now than it was before you met Jesus?