“In this connection I journeyed to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests. At midday, O king, I saw on the way a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, that shone around me and those who journeyed with me. And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ And I said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. But rise and stand upon your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you, delivering you from your people and from the Gentiles—to whom I am sending you to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’
“Therefore, O King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, but declared first to those in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout all the region of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds in keeping with their repentance. For this reason the Jews seized me in the temple and tried to kill me. To this day I have had the help that comes from God, and so I stand here testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses said would come to pass: that the Christ must suffer and that, by being the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles.”
And as he was saying these things in his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are out of your mind; your great learning is driving you out of your mind.” But Paul said, “I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I am speaking true and rational words. For the king knows about these things, and to him I speak boldly. For I am persuaded that none of these things has escaped his notice, for this has not been done in a corner.
“Do you really think that’s enough?” I had no idea to whom I was speaking. He was in the hospital, nearing the end of his life. I had been asked to visit him those many years ago. I was a vicar – a third-year seminary student, something of an intern – and one of my responsibilities was hospital visits. In those days, long prior to HIPAA regulations, I would go to the three hospitals in the area, look at the list of patients, see who were listed as Lutherans, and go to their rooms to visit them. This was different because I had been specifically asked to visit him and he was not a Lutheran.
But he was very ill, and his family and friends were quite concerned for his eternal wellbeing. When I visited him, I asked the Kennedy Evangelism questions, “Have you come to the place in your life that if you were to die tonight you know you would go to heaven?” His answer was a common one: “I hope so.” Then comes the second: “If you were to die tonight and stand before God and he would ask you, ‘Why should I let you into my heaven?’, what would you say?” His answer: “Well, I’ve always tried to help the youth…” He may have said a bit more, and when he was finished, I asked, “Are you sure that’s enough?”
He started to cry. This 60-year-old man had tears running down his cheek. I began to share every Bible passage I could think of, “The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23). By grace you have been saved, through faith, and that not of yourself, not by works lest anyone should boast (Ephesians 2:8-9). For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16).” These I shared in the same way here – by memory. So I may have a word or two out of place. I’m sure I shared other Bible promises as well. But I do remember perceiving that the Holy Spirit had brought him to a place of peace with God when I left that day.
Days later he died, and I was asked to do his funeral. Only then did I discover I had spoke truth to power. This man – who appeared quite small in his hospital bed, was actually quite a great man. He was the former head of the State Parks and Recreation Department. The former governor spoke at his funeral. I had no idea. Mine was not a Paul moment of great courage. Mine was a moment of blythe unawareness, and a desire to share the message of God’s grace and truth.
Paul spoke to small and great. The Philippian jailer. The fellow prisoners in the jail. Lydia and others. Now it’s Festus, Felix and Agrippa. And he was fearless. Bold. Dedicated to the truth and grace of Jesus Christ. Willing to tell it like it is. Unapologetic. Courageous.
I wish I had more of Paul’s courage. I wish I was more bold. But I am thankful for his courageous faithfulness. You and I are beneficiaries of his faithful witness to Jesus Christ. Ignited by Jesus’ Damascus Road confrontation and mission mandate. Fueled by God’s grace. Sustained by the Holy Spirit’s presence. Giving us meaning and purpose today. Anticipating the joyous vindication in the life of the world to come.
David Bahn - Reflections 
Leave a comment