( Acts 9, 1-20 ) - [ Deutsch ] - [ Akündigungen668.39 KB ]
Life is change.
This quote is attributed to the Greek philosopher Heraclitus (c. 520 to 460 BC) and it is a sentence that moves me. Changes have a threatening and a promising side. Changes are promising because they tell me that nothing has to stay as it is, that new doors are always opening and that things I don't like don't have to annoy me forever. Changes are threatening because the familiar, the rehearsed, the things I have grown to love are called into question. Having a routine gives me security in everyday life. In the case of the man we hear about in today's sermon text, the beginning of change was also threatening.
Bible Text: Saul’s Conversion (Acts 9, 1-20)
Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. 3 As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”
5 “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” He replied. 6 “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”7 The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. 8 Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. 9 For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.
10 In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!” “Yes, Lord,” he answered.
11 The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.”
13 “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. 14 And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.”
15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, 19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength. Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus. 20 At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God.
Saul, who is better known to us by his Roman name Paul, was a determined, even somehow fanatical opponent of Christians. With all means he tried to fight Christians. Judaism and Christianity were not yet separate religions, but Paul saw Christians as deviants who had betrayed the true faith in his eyes. The Christians saw in Jesus the Messiah, the Saviour of the world. This is exactly what obviously frightened Paul - it threatened him.
In any case, Paul set out for Damascus with this attitude, equipped with permission to fight Christian dissenters. He wanted to keep order in the synagogues there and push back the Christians.
But his journey to Damascus is soon interrupted, in a rather violent way. A bright light surrounds him. Paul falls down, perhaps even from his horse.
Falling down as an adult often leads into a crisis. Falling down is a really drastic experience for many people as they get older.
After his fall, Paul hears a voice. And it is Jesus talking to him.
Then Paul is also blind, helpless, he has to be led by the hand to Damascus. His companions can do that for him, but it must be a confusing experience. One minute he is the leader, the next he has to be led, he is dependent on help. Nothing is now left of his plan to persecute Christians.
Paul sees nothing, he needs a break. He has to reorganize himself and retreats to Damascus. There is nothing else left for him to do. Paul neither eats nor drinks anything. He is completely out of his everyday life, out of his usual life, out of his routine.
This goes on for three days. Three days, as long as Jesus was in the tomb. Three days, as long as Jonah was in the belly of the whale. Three days, as long as Lazarus was dead before Jesus raised him. Change doesn't happen overnight. It takes time. Three days, I guess, at least.
I know this from my life. Change takes time. From some breaks and painful changes, from some falls, something good has come out of the first, bad crisis. Breaks can also become new beginnings, they can break routines and fixed behaviour. It is painful when dreams and hopes are shattered, but they can also be an opportunity. You might discover it yourself at some point. But it takes time and you can rarely do it alone.
For Paul, it also takes the help of another person to see the matter in a new light, to approach the change, to get out of the crisis. Ananias comes. He is commissioned by Jesus, is actually very afraid of Paul, but does it anyway. Ananias trusts in Jesus, tells Paul what he believes and thinks he knows about Jesus. In doing so, Ananias hopes that all will go well. As soon as he comes to Paul, he can see again.
The first light has already dawned on him. Paul eats and drinks again and gains new strength. Ananias teaches Paul everything he believes about Jesus Christ and what he said and did. Finally, he probably even baptizes him. Later we don't hear anything more about Ananias, but during this time it wouldn't have been possible without him, the companion and pastor. Paul owes a lot to him.
Paul immediately begins to preach about Jesus, that he is the Son of God. His change from one who persecutes Christians to one who preaches enthusiastically is in full swing. His crisis is overcome. He has found a new theme in life, his faith is changing. Instead of hatred for Christians, now love for Christ. Out of what is broken, something precious new is born.
With Paul, young Christianity also changes. Paul shapes churches and also inspires people many centuries later to change, to a new understanding of the gospel, just like Martin Luther and many others. The fall, the crisis, the change has become a promise. Nothing has remained as it was. Something new has become and that is wonderful.
Dear congregation, life is change.
But through every change you take yourself with you, your history and gifts, also hurts and weaknesses. For Paul, his encounter with Jesus became a turning point in life. With the same fervour with which he persecuted Christians, he can now tell of that which has fundamentally changed his life and is for him the reason for all hope. And Paul succeeds in understanding those who think differently and do not yet know about Jesus Christ.
Through every change, one takes oneself with him. Paul's life has changed dramatically, significantly and fundamentally. It got a new basis. God uses Paul's talents and gifts. So God takes people into his use and always expects us to change. At the same time, what Paul was already good at is preserved. But now his zeal is combined with God's love. The gospel breaks through and conquers many hearts.
In order for the love of God to spread in our lives, changes are needed. Again and again. In my life and in that of a Christian community. Sometimes they are big changes, but sometimes they are just small steps.
Sometimes changes hurt and are resisted, sometimes they are longed for.
Not everything has to stay as it is. Life, faith, our relationship with God may change, grow and mature. God's love may take up more and more space in us. And I am sure that God will also find ways for me to change the whole world. God's love moves, reconciles and unites the world. Change can be the beginning of a wonderful promise. Life is change. Thanks be to God. Amen