The story of Saul on the road to Damascus to persecute followers of Jesus Christ is found in the book of Acts chapter 9. As the church began to gain momentum in the early days of its founding, antagonists rose up to quell the movement. One of the main of antagonists was a man by the name, Saul of Tarsus. Saul was a Pharisee, a Jew, a Roman citizen, and a possible member of the Sanhedrin. Saul’s mission to Damascus was one that would change his life in a way that even he did not expect.
His initial encounter with Jesus Christ would leave him blind. A blindness that also indicates his previous ways of ignorance when he didn’t know Jesus Christ. Blind, he was eventually led to Damascus where he neither ate nor drank for three days. The Lord sends a disciple in Damascus by the name of Ananias who probably would’ve been a victim of Saul’s original violent intent had Jesus not encountered Saul.

So Christ instructs Ananias to visit Saul and restore his sight. Here’s where it gets interesting. Ananias having heard of Saul and his reputation for persecuting and executing followers of Christ notifies The Lord of Saul’s reputation as a hit man for the chief priests. Information of course The Lord is already aware of. Nevertheless, Ananias’ concern is genuine. Saul’s predicament to many would seem as divine retribution or his comeuppance for his violent acts towards God’s people. However, Jesus had a different plan.

Christ says to Ananias in Romans 9 verse 15, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear my name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel.”

It would surprise us the type of people the Lord has chosen to be his vessel. God does not reason the way man does, nor does HE see as man sees. A wayward child, a violent criminal, an abuser, a degenerate, or anyone we condemn as dregs of society are not beyond the saving grace of Jesus Christ. We have a duty to pray for those who we deem the worst in character that the Lord should encounter, deliver, and use them. There are numerous testimonies of men and women of once diabolical character coming to know Jesus. These lives were transformed by Christ and very much like Saul of Tarsus, were chosen to become HIS vessel.

Halleluyah!