When You Make it to the City It will be Alright – Part 1
3. And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined around him a light from Heaven.
4. And he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”
5. And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” and the Lord said, “I Am Jesus whom you are persecuting: it is hard for you to kick against the goads.”
6. And he trembling and astonished said, “Lord, what will you have me to do?” And the Lord said to him, “Arise, and go into the city and it will be told to you what you must do.”
Acts 9:3-6
Urban Advantages
Most cities, both in the ancient world and in modern times, offered benefits to its residents that were not available to those in rural communities. Such advantages include economic opportunities, social and recreational activities, and diversity. For thousands of years, people have migrated to cities in search of a better life where there were job opportunities and things to do that was unavailable in the ‘country.’ People have considered “city living” to be more progressive while on the other hand, those who have lived in rural areas were considered to be less literate. Whether that is true or not, that was the perception of many. I can remember growing up in the country and being very much intrigued with the city and all of the tall buildings. Sometimes we were even ashamed of our country-life and would often refer to the nearest town as our place of origin, rather than admit that we were really from a rural community.
The Bible, however, viewed cities somewhat differently. Biblical cities were often considered to be secure places that offered protection. When God led the children of Israel out of bondage and into the Promised Land, cities were considered places of defense. The towns that the Israelites occupied generally had defensive walls that prevented the enemy from invading. Some cities and towns had even constructed towers where the citizens would escape to in the wake of enemy threats.
Interestingly, many of the cities in ancient Israel were towns that had been given as land grants to the priest and Levites who provided spiritual leadership to the other tribes. The priest were ordained to teach God’s Law and instruct the people on how to live their lives to honor the Lord. Perhaps the most interesting aspect of the Israelite towns was the fact that certain cities were designated as cities of refuge. Moses, the man of God, had commanded the Children of Israel to select six cities of refuge in strategic locations so that the person who had slain someone accidently could flee to a place of refuge and find safety from the “avenger of blood.” (Joshua 20) The person would remain in that city until the high priest died. Once the high priest had died, the person could return to their inheritance without fear of any revenge or retaliation from anyone. While the cities of refuge were limited in their ability to protect everyone, they provide a wonderful illustration of Christ Jesus as the Ultimate City of Refuge for the sinner. Christ is the one that the guilty person can flee from the penalty of death because He has already died for the sins of all. Christ is the new City of Opportunity for that same person to find a new life and be free from their past. Christ has died as the High Priest and yet He lives to lead the sinner into a new way of living. Christ gives security so that wherever that person goes, they are protected by the Very Hand of God. What an amazing picture! If you made it to the City you would be alright.
God Avenges but Also Shows Mercy
The ancient Israelites were initially given six cities of refuge, but were told that if their population increased, they could add additional cities as the need would arise. Again, this is a picture of Christ and His Mercy that extends to the farthest ends of the earth. God’s forgiveness in Christ is not limited to certain parcels of land. Wherever there is a need for Mercy – God will extend Mercy. Such was the case with the conversion of Saul. Here was a man that was guilty of persecuting the Church, putting God’s saints to death, and continuing to threaten anyone who believed in Jesus. God had Mercy on Saul when he confronted him on the road to Damascus. The Lord appeared to Saul as a blinding light from Heaven and demanded to know “why he was persecuting Him.” At that point, God could have ended Saul’s life and executed judgment as the “avenger of blood.” After all, this one man Saul, had assaulted His Church and attempted to destroy anyone who put their trust in God.
Throughout the Bible, God had confronted those who acted violently against those whom He had chosen. When the king of Gerar took Abram’s wife into his court, God came to him by night and said, “you are a dead man because you have taken the man’s wife.” God, Himself was the avenger of blood. But showing Mercy, the Lord instructed the king to return Sarai to Abram and he would live. See Genesis 20. These verses illustrate how God avenges the blood of His people but also shows Mercy to the transgressor by offering refuge from destruction. What a Mighty God we serve!
Do you recall how Balaam went with Balak’s delegation to curse Israel while they were camped on the plains of Moab? God would have struck Balaam down as the avenger of blood because he had planned to put a curse on Israel. At the same time, God used Balaam’s donkey to extend Mercy and speak to the madness of the false prophet. Why would God do that? Is it not to demonstrate that God Almighty is Just and Holy? But at the same time, God shows Mercy in abundance.
Saul was blind to the fact that he was persecuting the Church. Saul was living on the wrong side of God and would not be allowed to proceed any further. Despite his guilt, Jesus would allow Saul to find refuge rather than judgment. Rather than convict Saul for his sin, Jesus would convert him by offering the gift of Salvation. And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined around him a light from Heaven … And he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” … And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” and the Lord said, “I Am Jesus whom you are persecuting: it is hard for you to kick against the goads.”
The circumstances may be different, the location may be the road that leads to anywhere, but the confrontation will be the same. God meets the sinner. God meets the person who is traveling the wrong road to do the wrong thing and who is looking for the wrong rewards in life. Rather than condemning the sinner for their actions, Almighty Jesus is pleading with the person and calling them by name. He calls to them, “why are you persecuting Me?” What should be the sinner’s response. Should it not be the same as that of Saul. First, ask “Who are You, Lord?” If you don’t know Who He is, then introductions would be in order. There are millions of people who don’t know the real Jesus. Some have been introduced to a cultural Jesus that was created by society. Some have been introduced to the religious Jesus that was created by man’s faulty beliefs. Some have been introduced to the historical Jesus by those who relish only Christ teachings but have never surrendered to follow Him. It is time to meet the real Jesus, the One Who has all power both in Heaven and on the earth.
The second inquiry is to know how our living in sin has damaged the reputation of Jesus. Jesus asked Saul, “why are you persecuting Me?” Some would say, what I do is my business. Some would say, I’m not hurting anyone except myself. At this point, they would be guilty on two counts. First, your life does not belong to you, it belongs to God. Second, on the count of injury to self, God made you and you did not make yourself. The point is that whatever wrong we commit is an injury to God and His creation. As the God of Justice, He must avenge Himself on those who violate His commands.
It is the third question that offers the greatest challenge and blessing. Saul asked for directions. And he trembling and astonished said, “Lord, what will you have me to do?” And the Lord said to him, “Arise, and go into the city and it will be told to you what you must do.” The first challenge is to reverence God. Saul trembled and was astonished at the presence of Jesus. Anyone who seeks anything from God had better learn how to approach God in reverence. Moses was told to take off his shoes. Others were humbled and fell at His Feet. It points to one key fact: God is Holy. Daniel said, “I fell at his feet as one dead.” That is how powerful God is and Saul recognized that he needed to show respect and honor to the Holiness of God. Second, address the Lord properly. God is our Creator. God is our Sustainer. God is Life and God is Good. Why not call Him Lord and Master. Lord means, He is the Owner. Lord means He has no rivals. Lord means we are not in rebellion nor are we in denial of His Deity. Lord means He is Conqueror and Ruler. Lord means that the sinner has admitted his sin. Lord means, “God I am at Your Mercy.” Why not call Him Lord? Lastly, Saul asks a question of commitment. Lord, what will you have me to do? That commitment meant that Saul was willing to change. That commitment meant that Saul was searching for God’s new way of living. Yes, Jesus could have avenged the blood of His innocent saints, but instead, He chose to lead Saul in a new direction. It was there on the way to Damascus that Jesus sent the sinner to the city for refuge.
I close by sharing what Jesus commanded Saul to do. The Lord said to him, “Arise, and go into the city and it will be told to you what you must do.” Perhaps these simple instructions almost seem too simple, but really they are filled with wonderful insights that will help any struggling person to find refuge in God. First, get up or “Arise” as the verse states. What ever you do, don’t stay down. Getting up is challenging because then you have to learn how to stand, but God will help you to do both. Second, Go into the city. You have probably figured out by now that the city of God is represented by the Church or the gathering of the Saints. Saul, like all of us, needed help from those who have found God. Why the Church? The Lord said, “where two or three have gathered together in My Name, there I will be in the midst of them.” That is why I strongly urge anyone to make their way to the City. Get out of the wilderness. By the Mercy of God start walking in the direction of people who care about your soul. Lastly, listen to others that God will send to help you. Quit thinking you know everything. Definitely stop thinking that you don’t need anyone because both of these approaches will leave you on the road to nowhere. In conclusion, everyone needs to make their way to the city of refuge and find hope amongst God’s people. When you make your way to the city, everything will be alright.