From Saul to blessed Paul

Article for May 11, 2025

Acts 20:24b–25 24I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. 25And now, behold, I know that none of you among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom will see my face again.

Follow me, Jesus said to the apostles and disciples whom some followed, some betrayed, and even some fell away.  To Paul Jesus proved that Saul had no power over Jesus and that Jesus Himself will stop Saul’s persecution of those who followed the Way.  Jesus put an end to Saul and gave rebirth to Paul. 

Jesus also had told Ananias that Paul would suffer much as he spreads the gospel to Jews and Greeks alike.  And Paul suffered beatings, imprisonment, shipwrecks, and many other trials.  But this life of what seemed to be much suffering was also a life of many blessings.

Paul had a reputation of imprisoning and even having people stoned who followed the Way.  Paul who was changed by Jesus, not by himself, but by Jesus, had a lot to prove to many who had known him to be one to fear.  Paul in all his suffering found joy in serving the one who brought him into his suffering.  Strange we might think but look at the end of the race Paul ran to give the glory to God.

This is the last time many will see Paul, and now they will show tears for a man changed by the Lord they all followed.  The Lord of the Way, the Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of salvation.  Paul has run the race and will receive the crown of eternal life.  But first, knowing his fate, Paul will bid his colleges and pears a heart felt goodbye. 

Acts 20:26–28 26Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all of you, 27for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. 28Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.

From crucifying those on the Way to encouraging those on the Way.  Paul who was feared is now revered by those on the Way.  The race is not done.  There are many more whom God wants to run the race.  And like Saul who was converted to Paul there are many who await the call from our Lord Jesus.

Jesus did not die for nothing, but that He died for Paul and all sinners that they to may find new life in Him.  Those whom we might not think God would choose, God does choose and changes them as the scales of their sin falls from there eyes.  Maybe the song should have been sung, “I can see clearly now, the scales must fall.” 

Jesus sends others to open the eyes of those blinded by the world.  Jesus asks us to be the Ananias for the Sauls in the world.  Paul now addresses those who he worked with to spread the gospel.  It is Paul’s time to cross the finish line.  It is Paul’s time to suffer no longer but bask in the glory of the light of Jesus who is the Christ.

Acts 20:29–31 29I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. 31Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish everyone with tears.

Now Paul also warns of the tyrants at hand.  The battle is still being fought, but the victory still and will always be that of our Lord Jesus Christ.  So yes, be alert always for the world wants you to leave Jesus and share in the world’s demise.  What good is it that we gain everything now to lose it when we die.  We know that if we lose everything now, we gain even more when we join our Lord and Savior. 

Our world is twisted and is getting more twisted every year.  If we have a reprieve now it will not last long.  That is why some are anxious to see the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.  We know His coming for the second time is the signal of not the end, but the beginning of fruit of glory only God can give us.  So be patient and the tears we give will be the tears of pure joy.

Acts 20:32 32And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.

God is making us holy.  God makes us holy through our baptism, through the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, and even through the Holy Spirit and His Word.  We have much to praise and thank our God as He made the Way through His Son our Lord who died for our sins and was resurrected for life eternal.

We can and will be built up in the glory of God which is His Son who saves us through His body, blood,

Acts 20:33–35 33I coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. 34You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. 35In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”