“Then Ananias … 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.’”
Acts 9:17
Straight Street in Damascus still exists. It’s easy to navigate—after you’ve found it amongst traffic lanes and alleyways in the labyrinthine old city. It’s remarkable that the Bible gives us the address of where Saul (later Paul) encountered Jesus in a life-changing way.
On his journey to persecute Christians, Saul was blinded by the appearance of Jesus Christ in glory (9:3). Then a voice instructed him to go to a man called Ananias on Straight Street where he would regain his sight and become a bold proclaimer of the gospel. God called him a “chosen instrument.”
This street gives us a metaphor for the Christian journey. Like Saul, we may be on a path of rebellion or self-reliance, but when we encounter the living Lord Jesus, He redirects our steps toward a new life. He points us to the route we must take. Saul’s journey led to repentance, forgiveness, and a new purpose in Christ. You and I find clarity and truth when we align ourselves with God’s will. It is a path of transformation where God leads us into the fullness of life in Christ.
On his journey to persecute Christians, Saul was blinded by the appearance of Jesus Christ in glory (9:3). Then a voice instructed him to go to a man called Ananias on Straight Street where he would regain his sight and become a bold proclaimer of the gospel. God called him a “chosen instrument.”
This street gives us a metaphor for the Christian journey. Like Saul, we may be on a path of rebellion or self-reliance, but when we encounter the living Lord Jesus, He redirects our steps toward a new life. He points us to the route we must take. Saul’s journey led to repentance, forgiveness, and a new purpose in Christ. You and I find clarity and truth when we align ourselves with God’s will. It is a path of transformation where God leads us into the fullness of life in Christ.
Scripture Focus
Acts 9:1-19
Insight
“Amazing grace (how sweet the sound)/ That saved a wretch like me!/ I once was lost, but now am found,/ Was blind, but now I see.” (John Newton, 1779)
Bible In A Year
- 1 Kings 2-3
- Psalm 150
- 2 Timothy 3-4