Paul (formerly Saul) started out as a religious leader who opposed the followers of Jesus. He did not want people to preach the Jesus is the Messiah, so he sought to oppose them in every way possible.

Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem.

Acts 9:1-2

God had a plan for Saul, and it all started on the road to Damascus.

Listen: Blinded by the Light, by Manfred Mann’s Earth Band

As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”

“Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.

“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.

Acts 9:3-9

During his time on earth, Jesus called himself the light of the world:

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

John 8:12

Saul was blinded by Jesus, the light of the world! And in that moment, his identity changed. He went from someone passionately opposing the followers of Jesus to someone who was passionate about helping people follow Jesus.

How can you encounter Jesus, the light of the world, today?