There is such disbelief in Saul’s conversion that some of the Jews there in Damascus decide, “We won’t wait for him to prove it; we’re going to kill him.” The opposition is so strong that Saul is held up in the house of one who believes in his life’s mission and ministry. Jews have posted themselves at the gates of the city, hoping that they can catch Saul trying to escape from Damascus and kill him at the city gate. Why? Because he has surrendered to Jesus and surrendered to being shaped for ministry in the Lord’s name.
Following Jesus brings a lot of celebration, but it upsets some people. It confuses and confounds those whose morals and ethics are excessively self-serving. Believing in and living for Jesus causes debate among those who believe differently. It often inflames people who are trying to figure out how you cross so far over compared to who you used to be. And if Saul represents all of us who have said yes to Jesus, it suggests that at times we need to sit in witness protection because all the entrances and exits that invite us to move freely in the Lord are blocked by those who are trying to kill us. But there is good news. The good news is the Lord not only calls, the Lord not only blesses, the Lord not only anoints, the Lord not only prepares, but the Lord also protects.
Saul’s history has to include a day where somebody had to stand up for him, open a door for him, and put their reputation on the line for him. This scripture reminds every one of us to never forget that there are people connected to us that God has assigned to encourage us, to open doors for us, to vouch for us, to put their personality and reputation and capacities on the line so that the Lord can plant you and place you where He divinely intends.