Pandemic Preaching - Turning Back
Saul Becomes a Follower of Jesus
"As Saul was coming near the city of Damascus, a light from heaven suddenly flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?”
Saul asked, “Who are you, sir?”
The person replied, “I’m Jesus, the one you’re persecuting. Get up! Go into the city, and you’ll be told what you should do.”
Meanwhile, the men traveling with him were speechless. They heard the voice but didn’t see anyone.
Saul was helped up from the ground. When he opened his eyes, he was blind. So his companions led him into Damascus. For three days he couldn’t see and didn’t eat or drink." Acts 9:3-9
In the current Advent Series we have talked about the blinding of Saul. Indeed, we mentioned there that we will discuss this matter separately. Here it is.
Saul of Tarsus
The story of Saul we can likened to the pandemic time we are in. For he was like all of us, busy with our daily routine and then out of nowhere this (blinding light and frightening voice) came and our whole life changed.
Covid-19
This pandemic just sucker punched all of us, knocking us down and turning our world upside down.
Like Saul, we couldn't understand what was going on. But this happened to stop him in his tracks.
Ironically though, when he became blind that was when he was able to see. And then later on, to see even more clearly and to do what needs to be done. The bible describes this as having scales fall out of his eyes.
Saul of Tarsus
The story of Saul we can likened to the pandemic time we are in. For he was like all of us, busy with our daily routine and then out of nowhere this (blinding light and frightening voice) came and our whole life changed.
Covid-19
This pandemic just sucker punched all of us, knocking us down and turning our world upside down.
Like Saul, we couldn't understand what was going on. But this happened to stop him in his tracks.
Ironically though, when he became blind that was when he was able to see. And then later on, to see even more clearly and to do what needs to be done. The bible describes this as having scales fall out of his eyes.
U-Turn
A few days later, Saul got his sight back, and he did a complete 180 degree u-turn. From being a persecutor of the followers of Christ, he became Christ's most ardent supporter.
A few days later, Saul got his sight back, and he did a complete 180 degree u-turn. From being a persecutor of the followers of Christ, he became Christ's most ardent supporter.
Mind you he was seeking out and arresting followers of Christ just a few days before as he was totally on the other side of the fence regarding Jesus.
We can read Saul's story below.
Acts 9:1-31
Life Changing
This pandemic time could be the same for us. But not if all we are focusing on will be its bad side, because we will completely fail to see the good in it.
Pandemic comes roughly like every 100 years. And with it comes a chance for the world and humanity to do a hard reboot, a reset. Hopefully this will jump start us into the right direction, as we begin to focus our attention on the more important things in life and away from the non-essentials.
Of course, we are not downplaying the deaths and the devastation. But the world has gone through several pandemics and world wars and other worldwide catastrophies and each one humanity has survived and came out stronger.
This is our hope, that we are able to see the big picture and the silver lining on this dark cloud that is still upon us all.
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