Day 1081: When 'the Way' finds us - Acts 9 vs 1 - 9

1-2 But 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 belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 3-4 Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. And falling to the ground he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” 5-6 And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.”

7 The men who were travelling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. 8-9 Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank. Acts 9:1-9 English Standard Version

Following the stoning to death of the disciple Stephen, great persecution broke out in Jerusalem against the Church and many Christians were scattered through the regions of Judea and Samaria. But wherever they went, they preached the gospel! The last chapter ended with Philip preaching in many towns as he journeyed from Azotus to Caesarea. We were told earlier that one of those who witnessed and consented to Stephen's stoning, was a man named Saul, and we read now in verses 1-2 of his strong hatred for Christians. But what is the interesting name there by which Christians had become known?

They were people who ‘belonged to the Way'. Used first here in this chapter, that title is used a further 5 times in the book of Acts. Why was that, and what was meant by it?

Well, in Saul's case, he was using it in a derogatory sense. Acts Chapter 24 tells us that the Jewish leaders regarded those who followed Jesus to be a religious sect, which they called 'the way'. But there’s actually something very positive about the description. Acts Chapter 16 tells how a slave girl in the city of Philippi 'who had a spirit of divination', followed the disciples around, continually crying out to the people: “These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation.” (Acts 16:17)

And when Jesus was in the world, we read in the Gospel of Luke how some Jewish leaders set out to trap Him with trick questions. But they began by saying: “Teacher, we know that you speak and teach rightly, and show no partiality, but truly teach the way of God.” (Luke 20:21) Both phrases - 'the way of salvation' and 'the way of God' - are a good reason why being called 'those who belong to the way' is really a true description of Christians. After all, the gospel message tells how men, women and children can be saved, and be reconciled to God.

But perhaps the best reason for being called those who 'belong to the way' is because of what we read in John 14:1-6. Jesus said there to His disciples: “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.”

John tells us that the disciple, Thomas, said to Jesus: “Lord, we don’t know where you are going. How can we know the way?” And Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Yes indeed, it is a precious privilege to belong to 'the way'! But did you notice how this was not a case of Saul finding the way – but rather, the Way found him! While those travelling with him heard a voice but saw no-one, Jesus spoke directly to Saul. People refer to this as Paul's 'Damascus road’ experience. It was a unique event. But Jesus does still call men, women and children to Himself through the preaching of the gospel. Has 'the Way' found you? If so, make time to read the Bible, for it's there that Jesus tells us what we should do.