Who Art Thou Lord?
Scripture: Acts 26:12-18Devotional Series: Resurrection Life
Teaching: Resurrection Life pt. 1 (SUN_AM 2021-04-04) by Pastor Star R Scott
We all know that Paul saw Jesus on the road to Damascus, when he, the hater of Christianity was having Christians locked up and killed. He was going to Damascus to put more havoc into the church at that particular time. As he rode down the road to Damascus, a light brighter than the noonday sun shown around him, that glory of God knocked him from his horse, and he heard from heaven these words, “Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?” He said, “Who art thou, Lord?” He said, “I’m Jesus Christ of Nazareth whom thou persecuteth.” Just a little side note here. Paul never persecuted Jesus personally. Jesus takes persecution of His church personally. You persecute His church, you’re persecuting Him; amen? He’s the head of His church, the Bible says. He’s one with those of us that are part of His church. If we’re born-again, Jesus lives in us, and we live in Him, the Scripture says. As we abide in Him, and His words abide in us, we can ask what we would, and it will be done unto us. He’s alive. He’s risen. His ears are open to your prayers. The Bible says He’s touched with the feelings of our infirmities. He’s borne our afflictions. The chastisement of our peace is upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. Hallelujah!
As he’s making these truths evident, and he says this is an established fact, seen by all of these eyewitnesses. But according to the Scripture they tried to cover up the resurrection; the guards were paid off to say that Jesus’ disciples had come and robbed the body. Others came up with the “swoon” argument, that He had just passed out and then was resuscitated. We see the reality of it being spoken of here, and without question they knew it themselves. They had seen Him with their own eyes. That mutilated Jesus that was hanging on that cross didn’t just pass out. In fact, the forensic evidences, if you would apply them in a case like this, show what had happened. Jesus’ heart burst as He was suffocating. As that spear, the prophets spoke of years before, was thrust into His side, water and blood came forth. This is what would take place in a heart having burst at that particular moment.
Jesus didn’t just get a couple of little red stripes across His back. Many people died during scourging, depending upon how many stripes were given. That cat-o-nine-tails had woven into it, pieces of lead, animal’s teeth, and broken pottery and as they pulled back, it would rip chunks of flesh out. Crucifixion witnesses have said there were times you could look into the side of the individual and see their internal organs. Jesus endured this extreme suffering for us. Think about that.
As he’s making these truths evident, and he says this is an established fact, seen by all of these eyewitnesses. But according to the Scripture they tried to cover up the resurrection; the guards were paid off to say that Jesus’ disciples had come and robbed the body. Others came up with the “swoon” argument, that He had just passed out and then was resuscitated. We see the reality of it being spoken of here, and without question they knew it themselves. They had seen Him with their own eyes. That mutilated Jesus that was hanging on that cross didn’t just pass out. In fact, the forensic evidences, if you would apply them in a case like this, show what had happened. Jesus’ heart burst as He was suffocating. As that spear, the prophets spoke of years before, was thrust into His side, water and blood came forth. This is what would take place in a heart having burst at that particular moment.
Jesus didn’t just get a couple of little red stripes across His back. Many people died during scourging, depending upon how many stripes were given. That cat-o-nine-tails had woven into it, pieces of lead, animal’s teeth, and broken pottery and as they pulled back, it would rip chunks of flesh out. Crucifixion witnesses have said there were times you could look into the side of the individual and see their internal organs. Jesus endured this extreme suffering for us. Think about that.