Former Blackout Artist

“For some days [Saul] was with the disciples at Damascus. And immediately he proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.” And all who heard him were amazed and said, “Is not this the man who made havoc in Jerusalem of those who called upon his name? And has he not come here for this purpose, to bring them before the chief priests?” But Saul confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Christ.” – Acts 9:19-22

Being involved in prison ministry, I have the occasional privilege of meeting people who’ve spent a considerable period of their lives behind bars. Through listening to some of their testimonies, I get to hear a few of the details about what they used to be like and what landed them in prison. A few will also share how they came to know Christ through an outside volunteer who faithfully came to share the Gospel with him and his fellow inmates each week. Some of them, after having completed their prison sentences, have gone on to serve in the prison ministry, becoming some of the most effective volunteers. When I listen to their stories, my mind is blown. They don’t sound or look anything like the person they used to be.

But that’s because I didn’t know them in their prior lives.

The Apostle Paul, however… Everyone knew about his prior life.

When Saul had his life-changing encounter with Jesus on the Road to Damascus, he was baptized three days later by a disciple named Ananias. Within days, Saul would join the disciples in the synagogue there at Damascus and boldly proclaim Jesus as the Son of God.

Those there who were listening and knew of his past obviously had a hard time believing what they were hearing. “Is not this the man who made havoc in Jerusalem of those who called upon his name? And has he not come here for this purpose, to bring them before the chief priests?” (v.21)

The way Christ came to Saul was far different from the way Christ came to these men in prison (who are now involved in prison ministry). But the result was the same. Christ came to them, they recognized him, they repented, and accepted Him as their Lord and Savior. And their lives were forever changed.

The people who knew Saul couldn’t understand what had happened to him. The same could be said of the fellow prisoners of these men who had come to know Christ.

“What on earth happened to you?” they would be asked. “Let me tell you about a man named Jesus,” they would reply.

Grace happened. Amazing Grace.