Dean Butler

What did Christ say when Paul needed him most?

Christ did not speak to Paul only once. He spoke to him at several important moments in his life, and each time he gave Paul the words he needed for that moment.

The first time was on the road to Damascus. Paul was still known as Saul, and he was traveling there to arrest followers of Christ. He believed he was serving God, but he was actually fighting against him. Jesus stopped him and said, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” (Acts 9:4)

Paul needed to be stopped. He was sincere, religious and completely wrong. Christ confronted him, changed his direction, and gave him a new purpose. Sometimes that is what we need as well. We may believe we are doing what is right, only to discover through God’s word that we have been wrong.

Later, while Paul was preaching in Corinth, he faced opposition and had reason to be afraid. The Lord spoke to him in a vision and said, “Do not be afraid any longer, but go on speaking and do not be silent.” (Acts 18:9)

Paul needed courage. Christ did not promise that everyone would accept his message. He did not promise that the work would be easy. He simply told Paul not to be afraid and not to stop speaking. There are times when we also need courage to keep obeying God, even when others oppose us.

Christ spoke to Paul again while he was praying in the temple. This time, the Lord told him to leave Jerusalem because the people would not accept his testimony. Paul argued that the people knew his past and would surely understand how greatly he had changed. But Christ knew better. He said, “Go! For I will send you far away to the Gentiles.” (Acts 22:21)

Paul needed direction. He had his own idea of where he should serve, but Christ had another plan. We often do the same thing. We tell God what we think should happen, but he sees what we cannot see. His direction is always better than our own.

Then, while Paul was being held in Jerusalem, the Lord stood beside him and said, “Take courage; for as you have solemnly witnessed to My cause in Jerusalem, so you must witness in Rome also.” (Acts 23:11)

Paul needed hope. His future looked uncertain, but Christ reminded him that his work was not finished. Paul may have been a prisoner, but he was still in the hands of God.

Christ may not appear to us in a vision as he did to Paul, but he still speaks through his word. The Bible can stop us when we are wrong, strengthen us when we are afraid, direct us when we are confused, and give us hope when the future looks dark.

Christ knew exactly what Paul needed to hear, and he knows what we need to hear today. The question is whether we will turn to his word, listen to what he says, and obey him.

(Dean Butler is a faith-based writer and Bible teacher based in Newcastle.)