More of the story: Blinded by the light

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.  ~ Acts 9:1-3

 Saul grew up in a word of story and symbol: a single story, awaiting its divinely ordered fulfillment. ~ NT Wright, Paul, a Biography

The Jewish story - the one that birthed Saul - was a singular story. It was one that was about a people chosen by God.

 The early Christians, on the other hand, called themselves the people of The Way. A new "way" to live a God-filled life, one centered on Jesus.

 For Saul, the very defense of his people was at stake. These new people were the enemy. 

 Early Christians - these people of The Way - instead believed that they in fact were part of the same story.

 Luke wants us to know how far Saul - before he was Paul - would go to defend what he believed to be the truth. In doing this, we could see how far he would come.

 We could see how he literally became a new man, with new priorities, and a new story to tell.

 Sometimes it takes a blinding light for us to see the truth: for us to see something in a new way; for us to be shocked out of the system in which we are stuck; for us to see that maybe there is a new way, other than simply our way - or even the way of our tribe.
Prayer: Show me the way, God. Your way...not my way. Amen

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