Once upon a time there was a man named Paul. But before he was called Paul, he was called Saul. Saul was not kind to people who believed in Jesus. He even wanted to put her in jail! One day, Saul traveled to a city called Damascus. He wanted to find there all those who believed in Jesus.
On the way to Damascus, something miraculous happened. Suddenly, a bright light shone down from the sky. It was brighter than the sun, and Saul fell to the ground. Then he heard a voice saying, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?”
Saul asked, “Who are you, Lord?” And the voice answered: “I am Jesus, whom you persecute. Get up and go to town. They will tell you what to do.”
Saul got up, but he couldn’t see anything anymore! The light had blinded him. His friends helped him get to Damascus. Saul stayed there for three days. He could neither see, nor did he want to eat or drink. He waited anxiously to see what God had planned for him.
In Damascus lived a man named Ananias. God said to Ananias in a dream: “Ananias, go to Saul. Put your hands on him so that he can see again.” Ananias was afraid because he had heard of Saul. But God said, “Do not be afraid. I chose Saul to tell people about me.”
Ananias obeyed God. He found Saul, laid his hands on him, and said, “Saul, Jesus sent me to you so that you might see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Immediately it fell from Saul’s eyes like scales, and he could see again! He got up and was baptized. From then on, Saul was no longer angry. He loved Jesus and wanted to tell everyone about him. And so Saul became Paul, who told many people about Jesus.
Message of history
Jesus can change our lives and help us to be loving. No matter who we are, He can use us to do good.
Bible passage
The story of Paul’s encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus is recorded in Acts 9:1-19 :
*”But Saul, still snorting threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked him to write letters to Damascus to the synagogues, so that when he [dort] would find some followers of the way, whether men or women, leading them bound to Jerusalem. 3 But as he was going, it came to pass that he approached Damascus; and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him; 4 And he fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” 5 And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” The Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you persecute.” It will be difficult for you to strike against the sting! 6 And he, trembling and amazed, said, “Lord, what do you want me to do?” And the Lord said to him, “Get up and go into the city, and you will be told what to do.” 7 But the men who traveled with him stood speechless, for they heard the voice, but saw no one. 8 And Saul rose from the ground; and though his eyes were open, he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him to Damascus. 9 And he could not see for three days, and did not eat or drink.
10 Now there was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias; To him the Lord said in a vision, “Ananias!” And he said, “Here I am, Lord!” 11 The Lord said to him, “Get up and go into the street called the Straight, and ask in the house of Judas for a man from Tarsus named Saul; for behold, he prays. 12 And he has [in einem Gesicht] I have seen a man named Ananias come in to him and lay his hands on him so that he may regain his sight. 13 But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man how much evil he has done to your saints in Jerusalem. 14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name. 15 But the Lord said to him, “Go; for this is a chosen instrument for me, to bear my name before nations, and before kings, and before the children of Israel. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name’s sake. 17 Then Ananias went and came into the house; and he laid his hands on him and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord has sent me, Jesus, who appeared to you in the way you came, that you might see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 And immediately the scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight; and he got up and was baptized. 19 And he took food and gained strength. And Saul was with the disciples in Damascus for a few days.” *
