Acts 9 tells the powerful story of Paul’s dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus. Once a persecutor of Christians, Paul encounters the risen Jesus, is struck blind, and is transformed into God’s chosen instrument to proclaim the gospel. This devotional explores how Christ identifies with His Church, the meaning of spiritual blindness, the call to obedience even when fearful, and how God redeems suffering and “unfairness” for His glory.

Paul’s Background

Paul (then Saul) was a man of deep religious background. He was a scholar of the Scriptures and part of the Sanhedrin (Acts 22:3). He believed in God but rejected Jesus as Messiah. Instead, he aligned with the Pharisees and high priest, armed with authority to persecute Christians (Acts 9:1–2). He went into homes, dragged believers out, and even consented to their deaths (Acts 7:58; Acts 8:1–3).

What’s powerful here is that Paul wasn’t irreligious—he was deeply devout, but sincerely wrong. His zeal for God was misdirected because it was not anchored in Christ (Rom. 10:2).

The Encounter with Christ

On the road to Damascus, a bright light from heaven stopped Paul in his tracks (Acts 9:3). He fell and heard a voice: “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” (Acts 9:4).

Paul responded, “Who are you, Lord?” He didn’t yet know it was Jesus, but instinctively recognized divine authority by calling Him “Lord.” Even in his blindness, Paul knew this was no ordinary encounter.

Jesus replied: “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do” (Acts 9:5–6).

This is significant. Jesus had already ascended, seated at the right hand of the Father (Acts 7:55–56), yet He says: “You are persecuting me.” To persecute believers is to persecute Christ Himself (1 Cor. 12:27).

Paul’s Blindness

When Paul rose, he discovered he was blind (Acts 9:8). For three days he could not see, eat, or drink (Acts 9:9). His physical blindness symbolized his spiritual blindness. He had refused to “see” Jesus as the Son of God, so Jesus allowed him to experience outwardly what was already true inwardly.

This reminds us of John 9:39–41, where Jesus says, “For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind.” Paul thought he saw clearly, but his sight was darkness until Christ gave him true vision.

Ananias’ Role

God then called Ananias, a disciple in Damascus, to go lay hands on Paul. But Ananias was terrified: “Lord, I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem” (Acts 9:13–14).

From a human standpoint, his fear was reasonable—Paul was notorious for violence against Christians. Yet God responded: “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles, their kings, and the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name” (Acts 9:15–16).

Ananias obeyed in faith, laid hands on Paul, and said: “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 9:17). Immediately, Paul’s sight was restored, he was baptized, and he began to follow Christ (Acts 9:18).

God’s Purpose

Notice the irony: Paul, the persecutor, becomes God’s chosen instrument. His boldness, knowledge of Scripture, and standing with the religious leaders were repurposed for Christ. He would proclaim Jesus to Gentiles (non-Jews), kings, and Israel itself (Acts 9:15; Acts 26:19–23).

Yet his calling came with a cost: “I will show him how much he must suffer for my name” (Acts 9:16). Paul, once the cause of suffering, would now bear it. Later he even learned to rejoice in suffering: “We also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope” (Rom. 5:3–4; Phil. 1:29).

Reflections on Unfairness

A friend once asked: “Why do good people suffer? Why do parents die too soon? Why does life feel so unfair?”

Paul’s story speaks to this. From one perspective, it was unfair for God to choose Paul—the man who harmed so many believers. From another, it was unfair for Paul to suffer so greatly once he followed Christ.

But the cross is the ultimate example of “unfairness.” Jesus was perfect, yet He was mocked, beaten, and crucified (1 Pet. 2:21–24). That was unjust. Yet out of that injustice came salvation for us all.

Life in this fallen world is not always “fair” (Eccl. 8:14). But grace itself is beautifully unfair—we receive forgiveness and eternal life we don’t deserve (Eph. 2:8–9). So the question isn’t, “Why is this unfair?” but, “Who are we trusting in, and how can Christ’s glory be revealed through this?”

Applications

How We Treat Believers

Acts 9 reminds us that to harm or divide within the body of Christ is to harm Christ Himself (Acts 9:4–5). When we gossip, judge harshly, or withhold love, we wound His body.

→ Application: We are called to choose honor, unity, and love toward one another (John 13:34–35).

Recognizing Our Blind Spots

Paul’s three days of blindness show us that even the most zealous people can be blind to truth. Spiritual blindness is often revealed only when Christ opens our eyes (John 9:39–41).

→ Application: We ask the Holy Spirit to expose where we are blind, praying, “Open our eyes to see your truth” (Ps. 119:18).

God’s Call on Our Lives

Paul’s story reminds us that no past sin is too great for God to redeem. If God could transform a persecutor into His greatest messenger, He can transform us too (1 Tim. 1:15–16).

→ Application: We say “yes” to being His chosen instruments, offering our lives, gifts, and abilities for His purposes (Rom. 12:1–2).

Obedience in Fear

Like Ananias, God may call us to serve in places or among people who feel foreign to us—whether the underprivileged, the broken, or those struggling in ways we don’t understand. Fear whispers that it is too risky, but faith calls us forward. God equips us for what He calls us to do (Josh. 1:9).

→ Application: When God sends us into uncomfortable places, we step forward, remembering that serving the least is serving Christ Himself (Matt. 25:40).

Responding to Suffering and Unfairness

Life often feels unfair, but the cross reminds us that grace itself is the most “unfair” gift—Jesus suffered though innocent, while we receive mercy we don’t deserve (1 Pet. 2:21–24; Eph. 2:8–9). Like Paul, who rejoiced in suffering (Rom. 5:3–4), we can trust God to use hardship to refine and strengthen us.

→ Application: Instead of asking, “Why us?” we ask, “How can Christ be glorified through this?” (2 Cor. 12:9–10).

Closing Prayer

Father, we thank You for the story of Paul’s transformation in Acts 9. It reminds us that no one is too far from Your grace, and that You can turn even our greatest failures into instruments for Your glory. Open our eyes where we are blind, soften our hearts where we resist, and give us courage where fear keeps us from obedience.

Help us to see our brothers and sisters as part of Your body, to serve the broken and underprivileged with humility, and to trust You when life feels unfair. May we embrace both the calling and the cost of following Jesus, finding joy in suffering because You are with us. Use us, Lord, as Your chosen instruments to proclaim Your name and advance Your Kingdom.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.