Saul of Tarsus was saved by the Grace of God. No doubt about that fact! And I believe that event occurred one day as he traveled to the city of Damascus … on his way to further harass and persecute certain Christians, followers of “the resurrected Jesus.”
This momentous occasion is so important to Paul that he relates it again and again throughout his ministry. (In fact, Luke tells it three times in Acts, specifically chapters 9 and 22 and 26!)
“And as he (Saul) journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: and he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am JESUS whom thou persecutest.” Acts 9:3-5, Jesus has just revealed Himself, the Glorified, Living Jesus!
Then … I believe it happened: “And he (Saul) trembling and astonished said, LORD, what wilt thou have me to do?” At that very second when he acknowledged Jesus as “Lord!”
Subsequently: “And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.” Acts 9:6, soon he would be “told what to do” by a man named Ananias.
Haughty Saul, struck by a light (or is it Light) so bright he was blinded! “And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.”
God to Ananias: “Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, BEHOLD, HE PRAYETH.” Acts 9:11
Those last three words, today’s Lesson!
“Behold, he prayeth!”
Not some dead, ritualistic prayer … not any longer. Or some memorized rabbinical chant!
He, having only been saved three days (at the most) is already praying … praying to Jesus!(He was at prayer when Ananias arrived! And God already knew it!)
“Behold, he prayeth!” Sounds like even the Lord was impressed, “BEHOLD!” A 72 hour old “baby” in Christ, talking to his Heavenly Father and doing so through the name of God’s Son Jesus Christ!
And maybe Saul (soon to be Paul) was not even asking for anything! (Though he certainly could have been.) Perhaps he was just “talking or communing or enjoying” Company with his new Friend, Saviour, Intercessor! (Again, I mean Jesus!)
Point being … you do not have to acquire some complex theological vocabulary to pray! You do not have to reach some advanced stage of maturity as a Believer, either! You do not even have to pass some study course in basic prayer methods!
You just … PRAY!
Thus Saul has begun a life-long practice, praying to Jesus. To Jesus as God! To Jesus Who will present our needs to the Father, His Father.
Our Lord’s very Words … John 14:13 … “And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, THAT WILL I DO, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.”
Dear reader this morning … how’s your prayer life? Can it truthfully be said of you: “Behold, he (or she) prayeth!”
James 4:2 says: “Ye have not, because ye ask not.”
And Jesus in Mathew 7:7-8 even makes prayer a command, an obligation! “ASK, and it shall be given you; SEEK, and ye shall find; KNOCK, and it shall be opened unto you: for every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.”
Wow!
Maybe now we should quit reading and go pray a while!
All of us!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
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