But Saul became more and more capable, and was causing consternation among the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Christ. Acts 9:22 NET
It seems we had some intense discussion in our little town board meeting on Monday evening. I was not there having worn myself out doing a trash-out on yet another foreclosed house, although by 6:30 that evening when I finished I certainly could have raised the stink level at the town meeting. Yes, a great consternation might have engulfed the meeting well before the fireworks began. But that isn't how Paul did it.
The word, consternation, is not used in the New King James version of the Bible, so I had to stretch out a bit. However that may be, Saul, the same we know as Paul, caused consternation in a group of folks by proving that Jesus is the Christ! Now that is the way to cause some consternation. For our education purposes: Consternation is feelings of anxiety or dismay, typically at something unexpected. While the sheriff and the mayor going at it in a public meeting is certainly unexpected, I think what Paul did trumps anything we might see in a town board meeting.
To a group of Jews, Paul proved that Jesus is the Christ. Had this come from a Gentile, it would have been quite remarkable, but Saul, as he was known by his Hebrew name, was one of them, a champion of Pharisee University, a former persecutor extraordinaire of those who followed the Way. Yet, here was the man with a changed life proving that Jesus is the Christ. May we also show our changed lives to the world through God's amazing Way.
Praise to God for old Saul!Bucky
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