Jesus Protects His Own

This morning I felt like I should read from Acts 9:1-6, 17-20, 28-31 NIV:

[1] "Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest [2] 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. [3] As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. [4] He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” [5] “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. [6] “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

[17] Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord---Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here---has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” [18] Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, [19] and after taking some food, he regained his strength. Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus. [20] At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God.

[28] So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. [29] He talked and debated with the Hellenistic Jews, but they tried to kill him. [30] When the believers learned of this, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus. [31] Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.

The verses above describe the quick succession of events that radically changed the church early in its life. Jesus converted one of His biggest threats and attackers of the church. There was a significant persecution that had resulted in the death or imprisonment of many people, and Saul was one of the leaders of that persecution. I am so encouraged by this example of the Lord's authority and power and ability to change hearts in an instant.

If there was ever a time when the church was feeling especially vulnerable and at risk, I am sure this ranks up there. The church was still in its infancy and was especially vulnerable to a concerted attack, as it hadn't spread widely yet. The persecution had resulted in a dispersion of the church from Jerusalem, but it was still tenuous, at best.

Jesus was actively engaged in the direction and protection of His church then, and is today. He was able to turn one of His main attackers into one of His strongest proponents with one interaction. He is still just as capable today to change people's hearts and minds in one encounter. He can and does convert strong opponents into strong proponents, all around the world. If you read much about what is happening in supposedly closed nations (closed to Christianity), you will hear how Jesus is personally converting millions of former Muslims, and others who also have previously actively attacked the church.

We in the western church, because of the decline of Christianity in our cultures, can sometimes assume that the church is failing, or falling in its influence worldwide, because we think we are the most Christian nations. This may no longer be true, as there are great waves of revival spreading across many other nations, and some of them have very active Christian churches, and a great percentage of Christians. Jesus is continuing to direct and protect His church even in our day. For some great examples go to http://globalawakening.com and check out affiliated ministries like Iris Ministries or go to http://us.cfan.org/ the ministry of Reinhart Bonnke, or finally the web page for Voice of the Martyrs, a ministry that focuses on the church in restricted nations at http://www.persecution.com/

So my encouragement today is to pray for our church, to pray for those that are attacking the church, to pray that Jesus would intervene and quickly change hearts and minds so that they become His followers. I am also encouraged that any issue of resistance or attack in my own life can be quickly resolved by Jesus, for He has all authority and power.