June 7: Freeing Christ

Meanwhile Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any who belonged to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Now as he was going along and approaching Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him…Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; so they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. For three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank. (Act 9:1-9)

Okay clearly I’m off my rocker now – I’ve just cut Jesus out of the text!! I’ll own it, I did it – trying to cut this text down to a more manageable size I cut Jesus out of the center of this text… it’s really left a gapping hole in the story… the same kind of hole that is missing from our lives when we forget we are centered in Christ. But I didn’t really do that to make this point. What I want to draw attention to is the juxtaposition of Saul and the followers of “the Way”.

There is no word “Christians” yet. For now the disciples, those who identify with Christ are referred to as those who “belonged to the Way”. And Saul is going to bind them up.

Only the light flashes, Jesus speaks, transformation begins. Saul – eyes open – can see nothing… and is led by hand to Damascus.

Saul is “bound up”.

This text is an apocalyptic moment in the book of Acts. A heavenly visitor mediates a heavenly vision that reveals a hidden reality. Saul’s way of being is uncovered and revealed as being a way of hate and death. Saul is revealed as being one who “cannot see” even though his eyes are open.

And the people of the Way? They are revealed as being those who are led, those who follow, those who are transformed, those who cannot journey alone – but travel “led by the hand”… maybe we could call that “hand in hand”. The followers of the Way are those who give up their way for the Way. They have chosen to see differently, live differently, speak differently… love differently.

We will see that even more as this story continues to unfold. Kicking and screaming at times, the followers of the Way seek to transform the world with love and obedience – trust in the one they follow, Jesus Christ.

Saul seeks to bind up those who follow Jesus. And what Saul learns is that he has it all backward. Jesus is in the business of freeing those who have been bound. Jesus comes to give life – to make us free – free to pursue the good in our lives. Saul will learn that in an incredible experience of transforming Grace… and his life will never be the same! Saul will become Paul, and every moment to come after this will look different, feel different… be different! This is what it means to center our life in Jesus Christ.

How is your life different because of Jesus?
Where are you walking blind and where are your eyes being opened?
How is your way of following the Way inviting others to the freedom of Christ?

Freeing Christ, You have set us free from the bondage to sin and death. You have revealed to us the Truth of your words, your grace, and your love. Let our lives speak the truth we have seen in you. Amen.