Weekly Pulpit Acts 9:3-19 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:… As the supernatural reflects the moral in all the miracles of the Bible, so in the conversion of St. Paul. We have here — I. AN EMBLEM OF THE GOSPEL. — "a light from heaven." All knowledge is light. But as the light here was peculiarly dazzling, so the gospel is a special revelation of God's will. It is heavenly light, because — 1. Of its Divine origin. The apostles denied that they preached "cunningly devised fables." As the eye is made for the light, so the soul is made for Divine truth. The gospel speaks with so much clearness and authority, that conviction is carried home. Would anyone have convinced Saul that he saw merely the blaze of a torch. Nor can anyone persuade the believer that he is only influenced by the words of man? "Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." 2. Of its benign influence. The light and heat of the sun come like every good and every perfect gift, from the Father of lights. As heaven is bright and loving, so the gospel is the good news of salvation to men. It brings the peace and smile of heaven. There was darkness before, but now God hath shined in our heart. 3. It leads heavenward. Christians are not pilgrims because they are forced by time to move on, but because they have the light, and move in the right direction. II. AN ILLUSTRATION OF DIVINE METHODS. "Suddenly there shined a light." 1. The sovereignty of the Divine will. God has no need of consultations with His creatures. His wisdom is infinite, and His tender mercies are over all His works (Romans 11:33-36). How unexpected the scene near Damascus. You ask, why God has done this? and the only answer is, "I am that I am." You must accept the Saviour on this ground: it is the will of God. 2. The decisiveness and finality of the Divine acts. The appearance to St. Paul was as emphatic as it was sudden. There was no mistake as to the source of the communication. Jesus met with Saul, not to parley with him, but to acquaint him with the ultimatum of the court of heaven. You perceive this in Paul's answer. The gospel is of none effect unless it carries with it its final appeal and authority. 3. The mercifulness of the Divine purposes. God comes to save, and not to destroy our souls. (Weekly Pulpit.) Parallel Verses KJV: And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: |
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