Yesterday I attended the ordination and installation of a new seminary graduate. While I met this young man when he was a toddler, I didn’t know him as an adult. I know his parents and went to school with several of his aunts and uncles and also knew his grandfather, a now sainted pastor and missionary. So Cheryl and I went to the service to rejoice with the family and the congregation he has been called to serve.

It was a joyous occasion and gave me hope for the future. Another generation taking up the mantle and continuing the proclamation of Jesus Christ as the only hope for this world. The preacher did a wonderful job of reminding us that the world is dying without Jesus and that is why we must share what we know about Him as our Lord and Savior.

There was one thing in particular that preacher shared that I want to share with you today. Before I do, read through this passage.

Acts 9:1–19 ¹ Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest ² and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. ³ As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. ⁴ He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” ⁵ “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. ⁶ “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” ⁷ The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. ⁸ Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. ⁹ For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything. ¹⁰ In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!” “Yes, Lord,” he answered. ¹¹ The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. ¹² In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.” ¹³ “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem. ¹⁴ And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.” ¹⁵ But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. ¹⁶ I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” ¹⁷ Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother 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.” ¹⁸ Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, ¹⁹ and after taking some food, he regained his strength. Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus.

Paul’s conversion speaks of him being blinded, but then having his sight restored and being baptized. His new life began. And the preacher pointed out that Paul’s sight was changed from that point on. After that, he saw people with the eyes of Jesus. He saw people who were lost in sin and needed the forgiveness that Jesus earned for everyone. He saw people that needed to hear the Good News that he had to share. He saw people needlessly dying in their sin and unbelief. The drove Paul to share the one he encountered on that road to Damascus for the rest of his life.

You and I should do the same.

Lord, you have called us to be your own. You bought us back from sin and death and gave us Your name when You claimed us in Holy Baptism. Remind us to see the world around us with Your eyes, so we will remember to share with others the Good News of who You are and what You have done to save us all from what we deserve. Help us to live today rejoicing in the wonderful message of Your love and mercy and grace. Amen.