Confrontation
Day 496, Saturday, Dec. 20
Acts 9:1-9
Saul sets out to continue his persecution of the Christ-followers. He asks the high priest to send him on a mission to Damascus to find any followers of Christ (referred to here as followers of the Way), arrest them and bring them back to Jerusalem for punishment.
While looking for followers of Jesus, though, Saul finds something unexpected: Jesus himself.
As he nears Damascus, a light from heaven knocks him to the ground and he hears a voice ask, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me.”
“Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.
“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied.
Saul will always consider this to be an encounter with the risen Jesus, not as a vision.
The encounter leaves him blind.
It is sometimes confusing when scripture refers to people by different names, though it is simpler in the case of Saul/Paul than it is in some other cases.
This isn’t like Jacob having his name changed to Israel. It is simply that Saul and Paul are the Hebrew and Greek versions of the same name. They are used interchangeably in different contexts, much like a person named “Miguel” may choose to use “Michael” in some contexts without actually changing his name.

-Rev. Mark Fleming

Saturday meditation

Psalms 45:10-17
Listen, daughter, and pay careful attention: Forget your people and your father’s house. Let the king be enthralled by your beauty; honor him, for he is your lord. The city of Tyre will come with a gift, people of wealth will seek your favor. All glorious is the princess within her chamber; her gown is interwoven with gold. In embroidered garments she is led to the king; her virgin companions follow her—those brought to be with her. Led in with joy and gladness, they enter the palace of the king.
Your sons will take the place of your fathers; you will make them princes throughout the land.
I will perpetuate your memory through all generations; therefore the nations will praise you for ever and ever.

Prayer focus
Lord, show us your presence.