On a hot, dusty day in the middle of nowhere, Saul’s life was about to change.

He was on a mission to capture anyone who ignored the Pharisees and listened to Jesus’ teachings. With the high priest’s blessing, Saul had started out with other Jewish men on a trip to stop the spread of belief in Jesus.

“The believers think they can escape to Damascus,” he grumbled. “A trip back to Jerusalem in chains should teach them.”

The sun cast long shadows as the group hurried along the rocky road.

“You have to work to be acceptable to God,” Saul declared.

“That’s right!” the other Pharisees agreed.

“You don’t obey Jesus,” he said, without missing a step. “You obey every word of the law.”

Saul’s fellow travelers nodded vigorously, hustling to keep up.

“And when sinners — or these followers of Jesus — break the law,” Saul stated, “they must be punished.”

Saul’s mind was made up. As he took his next step, a brilliant light flashed and he fell to the ground.

The crowd of men stopped in their tracks. With hearts pounding like drums, they heard a voice speak from heaven, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?”

“Who are You, Lord?” Saul asked, his forehead pressed into the dirt.

“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” the voice said. “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

Nobody dared to breathe as Saul struggled to stand. His friends’ chins dropped and their knees knocked, but their feet stayed glued to the ground.

As Saul brushed dirt from his eyes, he almost fell down again. He was blind!

He reached out shakily for someone to guide him into the city.

When Saul got to Damascus, he stopped at his friend Judas’house and told him what had happened.

Stunned, Judas sat back in his chair. “The high priest will know what to do."

Saul thought for a moment. “All my life,” he said, “I’ve worked very hard to obey the Jewish law. And all this time I needed Jesus.”

“Here, have something to drink,” Judas offered.

“No, thanks,” Saul replied. “I need to pray and find out why Jesus offers forgiveness I have not earned.”

For three days Saul prayed and waited. He did not eat or drink, and he thought about many things. Then came a knock at the door.

“Saul, someone is here to see you,” Judas said, poking his head in the room.

“Ananias?” Saul asked.

Judas drew a quick breath. “How did you know?”

Saul smiled. “My Savior gave this blind man a vision,” he said.

Hearing the thump, thump of footsteps, Saul stood up.

“Brother Saul,” Ananias said, placing his hands on Saul, “the Lord — Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here — has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”

Immediately something that looked like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see. Blinking back tears, he smiled at the light.

“I will no longer be a punisher of believers,” Saul said. “I will be a preacher for Christ who has helped me see.”