Many of us are familiar with or have heard of the conversion of Saul to Apostle Paul on his road to Damascus, but closer introspection of the Scripture reveals, certain hidden treasures that can be cursorily overlooked. Saul (before his conversion to Paul) in his encounter with Jesus Christ, on the road to Damascus, was surrounded by a light from heaven. He fell down and he heard a voice, asking him “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”. Saul questions, “Who are you, Lord?” to which the Lord replied, “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting”. In response with trembling and astonishment, Saul asks another question, “Lord, what will thou have me to do?”. Saul is informed to go into the city and wait until further instructions are sent to him. Interestingly, the Scripture then records, that when Saul rose up, he opened his eyes and he saw no man (was blind). It also records that those who were with him were speechless, for they heard the voice, but did not see any man.

Note how the Scripture says, Saul opened his eyes and was blind. This would imply that prior to his opening of his eyes, his eyes were closed. But then when his eyes were closed, how is it that he questions, who are you, Lord? One may think that he asked that question in response to that voice that he heard from heaven. But the Scripture also tells us that the others who were with him, heard the voice, but did not see any man. Wonder, why Saul is excluded from this list of others? Logically, this would mean that Saul was the only one who saw someone and the one who was seen by Saul, identified Himself to be Jesus, the one from heaven (John 6:32,38), The Light of the world (John 8:12). But herein lies the issues that may seem contradictory. First we established that Saul’s eyes were closed and now we see that Saul saw Jesus.

The Bible states that the light shined around Saul. It makes no mention of the light shining around those who were with Saul and we learn that they did not see any man but merely heard the voice. There are many in the world with open eyes, who can hear the voice of God, but they don’t see him. Those on whom the Light of the World (Jesus Christ) from heaven shines are those who can see Jesus, when their eyes are shut from seeing anything or anyone else.

Point(s) to ponder:
1. What are some of the things in our life, in this world, that is keeping our eyes (focus) away from Christ Jesus? Is it our families/homes, jobs/work, pleasures/hobbies, sins, etc.?
2. We must take time to be blind (close our eyes) so that the attractions and pleasures of this world does not distract us; and that we see no one else but Jesus and be enlightened by Him.

Look ye blind, that ye may see (Isaiah 42:18)

Acts 9: 1-8 (KJV)
1 And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,
2 And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.
3 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:
4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.
7 And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.
8 And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.

John 9:39-41 (KJV)
39 And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind.
40 And some of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and said unto him, Are we blind also?
41 Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.