They’re such small details, I missed them
for years. But they reflect perfectly the shift in power in Paul’s life – from a
man of status, clout and influence to being dependent on a hitherto unknown
character, and all in the space of one chapter. (Part of the reason why I
missed these details has probably got something to do with the fact that we
generally read Acts 9 for evidence of the classic evangelical conversion
experience. It can be found there, of course, but there is so much more there
too.)
At the top of the chapter we have Saul with
free access to the high priest in Jerusalem. I’m guessing
here, but I think even this suggests that Saul had already achieved status, for
I doubt the chief priest would meet just any old anti-Christian mob leader. But
it’s what he gets from the priest that’s important – a letter of such authority
that it opens the doors of Damascus synagogues and
allows him to drag the followers of Jesus into prison. You know you’ve got
clout when you can call upon the chief priest of your religion to back you up.
But come with me now to verse 27. Saul had
had his conversion experience by then and had fled Damascus because he too was
now facing persecution. He ends up in Jerusalem and naturally wants
to hook up with fellow believers. They’re petrified of him, however, because
they know what kind of man he is. Just like with the synagogues of Damascus he needs a letter
of introduction. And he gets one – but not from Peter, a leading apostle, not
from James, the brother of Jesus, but from the lowly Barnabas.
Acts 9: a chapter about two letters of
introduction – one from a somebody; one from a nobody. And Saul begins his
journey with Jesus by moving away from the centre and finding his place on the
margins.
