The question that Apostle Paul (then Saul), hears from heaven, when he encounters Jesus on the road to Damascus was “Saul, Saul, Why do you persecute me?”. One of the definitions for the word “Persecute” according to the Merriam-Websters dictionary is “to harass or punish in a manner designed to injure, grieve, or afflict; specifically : to cause to suffer because of belief”. Though this may seem like a question that is solely directed to Saul, closer introspection of the text surfaces that it is applicable to each one of us, who are believers in Christ as well.
The same question can be turned and asked of each one of us, “Saint, Saint, Why do you trample the Son of God?“. When sinners believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, they are removed from the power and penalty of sin, and turned to saints, but when a saint backslides willingly, the Scriptures likens such willful disobedience to be the same as trampling the Son of God under foot, grieving Him and His Holy Spirit (Hebrews 10:26-29).
Many a times, I have been found guilty of willingly disobeying God and now with this insight that I can persecute (grieve) Jesus with my willful disobedience, I pray for his forgiveness and seek to submit totally to His Lordship. I don’t want to have Jesus ask me “Mano, Mano, Why do you trample me, the Son of God? Why do you persecute me?” How about you? If you encounter Christ Jesus today, what is the question that He has for you?
Hebrews 10:26-29 (KJV)
26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
28 He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
Ephesians 4:30 (KJV)
30And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
Mano Paul
2 Peter 2:20-22 substantiates and accentuates the premise of “Persecuting Jesus”.
20. For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.
21. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.
22. But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.