Acts 9 – 10
The story of what happened on the road to Damascus always get me thinking about motocross since one of my favorite tracks was near Damascus Maryland. Unfortunately two bad memories, a near accident where a car jumped on the road and almost hit us, smashing into another car. The other was not a complete memory since I tried to fly like superman off the front of my bike, only to not succeed and have it follow me and rupture a disk in my back. Anyway, not much theology there but just what crosses my mind reading this story.
Verse 9:5 is the key to what happened on the road to Paul:
Saul: 5 Lord, who are You?
Then he hears these words:
The Lord: I am Jesus. I am the One you are attacking.
Saul of Tarsus, aka Paul, was off to Damascus to persecute the church. His goal was not to be all rosy and discuss this rationally, but rather to jail, injure and kill those following Jesus. As with most of God’s workers, He takes the least likely and does wonders with them. Otherwise, if you think about it, the GLORY could be redirected to the person and not God. Look at David, a meek insignificant son rises up to rescue Israel and lead them. If David had been the “obvious” choice like King Saul, the glory may be placed on him and not God.
Verse 9:15 has Ananias questioning why Saul:
Yes, but you must go! I have chosen him to be My instrument to bring My name far and wide—to outsiders, to kings, and to the people of Israel as well.
Here God is showing again the least likely to lead His church, like Peter who denied Jesus. We often take for granted what happened there, but it’s significant. Would you suddenly follow Hitler if he had a “change of heart”? Granted this is an extreme example, but not really when you read what Paul was doing.
Verse 10:14 is part of another story I like, Peter’s vision allowing people to eat pork:
No way, Lord! These animals are forbidden in the dietary laws of the Hebrew Scriptures! I’ve never eaten non-kosher foods like these before—not once in my life!
There was a strife in the early church since many believed a follower of Jesus was to adhere to the Hebraic law. This vision showed otherwise and in verse 10:14 Peter has clarity saying “It is clear to me now that God plays no favorites.” All are welcome into the church and it’s not about what kind of food they eat. All food is blessed is welcome to eat.
Now does this mean we can eat anything? Yep we can, as long as thanks is given to God. Now should we consume pork as a staple? Nope, I believe the “Food Laws” became legalistic by man but were intended to show man the natural food chain. If we analyze the foods not allowed by God, they are the scavengers of the world, the ones who clean the messes. Their digestive system is very simple and the “toxins” consumed by them are quickly release into the flesh. It’s not that God does not want us to enjoy a BLT, but that the B could have harmful toxins and although our digestive system can cope with limited intake it should not be consumed normally. See it’s not a sin to eat pork or other “off limit” foods, but rather not the best fuel for the body.