The Conversion of St. Paul
Introduction
The conversion of St. Paul is one of the most dramatic stories in the Bible. One can just imagine the impact it had. I suppose to put it in today’s terms one would have to see someone like Richard Dawkins – one of the people behind the “There probably is no God” bus posters – becoming a Christian. Looking at the readings set for today I want to look at discipleship – the call to discipleship, the cost of discipleship and the crown of discipleship.
Call to discipleship
One of the key aspects of the nature of God is that He is a God who calls people to Himself. We see it throughout the Old Testament from calling out to Adam in the garden, through the calling of Patriarchs and Moses to the calling of kings and prophets. The O.T. reading from Jeremiah is a prime example. God’s call of Jeremiah was based on His knowing him from even before He was born. It is met with fairly typical reluctance which is matched by assurance of God’s presence and equipping for the task.
This aspect of God’s nature is clearly seen in the ministry of Jesus – one of the noticeable features of what Jesus did when he was here on earth was that He called people to follow him. “Come, follow me” is a frequent phrase on the lips of Jesus. This calling of people to be disciples carries on in the New Testament era as seen in the dramatic example of St. Paul. In the vision he has on the road to Damascus Paul is challenged as to why he is persecuting Jesus (note in passing the identification of Jesus with the church) and told to wait further instruction. For three days he remained blind, praying, waiting. Then Ananias receives a call from God and reluctantly obeying, completes the call to discipleship. This process of being called to discipleship continues through to the present day. God is still calling people to follow him – to know him and to serve him. It seems to me that the nature of God’s calling is “come and go”. We are firstly called into relationship with God ourselves, then sent out to share that call with others.
The cost of discipleship
This call to follow Jesus has a cost attached. Jeremiah’s reluctance was not without reason. He knew how prophets were treated. God’s reassurance that He would be with Jeremiah and rescue him (Jer.1:8) can only have drawn attention to the dangers.
Our gospel reading from Matthew 19 speaks of the cost of discipleship; “We have left everything to follow you” says Peter Matt.19:27. Jesus also speaks of those who have left houses, family and property to follow Him (Matt.19:29). In Luke 14:25ff Jesus warns about the cost of discipleship and encourages would-be followers to count the cost before making the commitment.
In the case of Paul he is told right from the outset that following Jesus will be costly for him. “I will show him how much he must suffer for my name” Acts 9:16. There is always a price to pay for following Jesus – “love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all”.
Is it worth it?
The crown of discipleship
The disciples were wondering if it was worth it, as they began to realise something of the cost involved. “We have left everything to follow you. What then will there be for us?” Matt.19:27. Jesus re-assures them that whatever losses they may have endured in this life will be made good a hundred times over in the age to come. The idea of sitting on thrones of judgement over the tribes of Israel may seem a bit remote to us, but the key is the promise of eternal life.
What about Paul? – all he was shown at the time of his conversion was the cost involved, yet he too knew something of the crown. He considers all that he previously valued as rubbish compared with the surpassing greatness of knowing Jesus as lord (Philippians 3:7). Surely this is the greatest crown of discipleship – whatever the cost might be it is worth it simply to know that Jesus is our Lord and saviour. There is a further crown of discipleship which Paul speaks of “My brothers, you whom I long for, my joy and crown” Philippians 4:1. Paul was called to go to the gentiles with the good news. The people who came to faith through his witness are the crown of his discipleship.
Application
Have you heard the call – to come, and to go?.....Have you counted the cost? Are you wondering is it worth it?
Have you seen the crown?