Saul was persecuting the Church in every possible way, starting with his involvement in the death of Stephen. His aggression grew stronger and stronger, and he wanted to hunt God’s people everywhere.

Acts 9 begins with the picture of a dangerous persecutor of the Church. It is written in Acts 9:1-2:

“Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.”

The one who wanted to bind God’s people was himself bound by the Lord. As soon as he reached near Damascus, thinking he had arrived at his target and would soon be binding all the people of God, his desire was short-lived. He was thrown down and lost his sight of what he had been eyeing.

This conversation between Saul and Jesus is significant because, instead of Jesus asking, “Why are you persecuting my believers?” or “Why are you persecuting the Church?” He directly asked, “Why are you persecuting Me?”

This question is crucial to understanding that persecuting Christians is persecuting Jesus Himself. Jesus has taken full responsibility for anyone who suffers persecution for His name. He will take care of the persecutor, and the entire situation is in His control. He is seated on the throne, and His eyes are on the righteous.

The Bible says in Psalm 34:15:

“The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and His ears are attentive to their cry.”

Jesus has infinite options to deal with the persecutor, but as Christians, we have only one option for dealing with those who persecute us. We cannot retaliate or take revenge. Scripture teaches us to forgive and pray for those who persecute us. Jesus instructs us to love our enemies and forgive them. We are not to judge or take matters into our own hands.

The Bible says in 1 Peter 3:9:

“Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.”

Saul’s encounter with Jesus transformed him. He went from being a persecutor to becoming one of the greatest warriors for the Kingdom of God. In the same way, every situation of persecution should be left in the hands of the Lord. He is the one who will judge and handle the matter in His perfect way. Our responsibility is to continue in our faith, without the intention of prosecuting or punishing the persecutor. We are called to love unconditionally, pray for their salvation, and trust God to deal with the situation. Let God be the judge and handle the persecution in His own way.