On the Road to Damascus: How one encounter changed everything

A man known for being notorious in his actions had a mission that made him go from house to house, dragging men and women into prison—just to destroy the church.

After Christ’s death, the apostles continued spreading the gospel. The gospel was spreading so widely that it became a threat, and they were persecuted for their faith. This led to the scattering of believers around the world. But the good news was that the gospel about Jesus was preached wherever the believers were scattered.

This man was a murderer and persecutor of the Lord's followers, and he was on a mission to arrest them—bringing both men and women back to Jerusalem in chains.

As he was approaching Damascus on this mission, he met the one (Jesus Christ) who was the very reason he had been persecuting the Lord's followers. It happened in such an interesting way—just the light from heaven made this mighty man fall to the ground. And when he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul! Why are you persecuting me?” he called the voice Lord—even before the voice had revealed Himself.

This single encounter was the beginning of a new story in the life of this man called Saul. He was once an instrument used by the leading priests to arrest anyone who called upon the name of God. He thought he was going on a journey to persecute, but little did he know that this journey would become an advantage for the one he had been persecuting. Saul would become an instrument to take the message to the Gentiles, kings, and the people of Israel. His story is proof that no matter how far you think you are—or were—from God, He wants to forgive your past, redeem it, and use it for His purpose.

It took just three days of being blind for his rigid mindset to change. And when he was prayed for, something like scales (which signified unbelief) fell from his eyes.

He spent a few days with the believers in Damascus before he started preaching the gospel. You might be thinking, Why was he so quick to jump on the wagon of the gospel of Christ? This question will help answer that: Why was he persecuting the believers in the first place? It was unbelief.

He had heard so much about Christ, yet he didn’t believe. This connects to what the prophet Isaiah said:

“When you hear what I say, you will not understand. When you see what I do, you will not comprehend. For the hearts of these people are hardened, and their ears cannot hear, and they have closed their eyes—so their eyes cannot see, and their hearts cannot understand.”

This scripture describes the state Saul was in until the encounter that led him to Christ. After this encounter, within just a few days, he was so transformed that the people who knew him—who he was and what he represented—were shocked. Even the Jews couldn’t refute his proofs that Jesus was indeed the Messiah.

This journey to Damascus was the moment everything changed for Saul. The old life was gone, and a new life was given to him in Christ Jesus. It was a defining moment that brought Saul to Christ.

Your road to Damascus might not be exactly like Saul’s story. It might happen while listening to a message, during a church service, or even in a quiet place.

That defining moment gives you the free gifts of salvation, forgiveness from sin (John 3:16), God's presence in your life (the Holy Spirit) John 14 vs 16 - 17, adoption into God’s family (Galatians 4 vs 5 - 7), and the gift of eternal life.

The road to Damascus is where your story is rewritten. It’s a road where you come to know who Christ is. It’s a place where transformation takes place and you're set apart for His purpose. It’s where one is made new, the past ends, and the new life begins.

It's a place of sanctification until we become like Christ. It’s a road to redemption and restoration.

Perhaps you feel you're too far gone to be redeemed. Or maybe you think staying the way you are is the best option. I want you to know that’s nothing but a big lie—one that presents itself as the only truth. There’s a free offer that can set you free and help you discover a new path. It removes everything that stands as scales—sins, past mistakes, offenses, and errors—and opens your eyes to the possibilities in Christ Jesus.

You can begin the process today. All you need to do is confess with your mouth and believe in your heart that He’s the Savior.

If you're ready, pray this prayer and accept Jesus today:

Lord Jesus, I confess my sins and ask that You forgive me. Come into my heart now. Be my Lord and personal Savior. Help me to walk in Your path and follow Your will. I refuse to be defined by my mistakes or my past. I come into the knowledge of Your finished work on the cross of Calvary. Thank You, God, for saving me and answering my prayer. Amen!