Acts 26:12–23 | Paul’s Encounter with Jesus

“Transformation is a lifelong process.” — Pastor Mary Johnson

Acts 26 gives us one of the most personal and powerful moments in Paul’s story. Standing before King Agrippa, Paul recounts the moment that forever changed the direction of his life- his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus. This is more than a dramatic conversion story; it is a reminder of how God interrupts our lives, transforms our hearts, and calls us into something far greater than ourselves.

Paul begins by describing his mission to Damascus. He was armed with authority, fully convinced he was doing God’s work by persecuting followers of Jesus. But at noon—when the sun would have been at its brightest - Paul encountered a light from heaven brighter than the sun itself. In an instant, Paul was confronted with a reality he could no longer deny.

Jesus spoke directly to him:
 “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is useless for you to fight against my will.” (Acts 26:14)

This moment reminds us that transformation often begins with interruption. God does not wait for perfect conditions or willing hearts - He meets us right where we are. Sometimes, like Paul, we are moving confidently in the wrong direction when God steps in to redirect our lives.

Jesus’ words to Paul reveal something important: Paul had already been resisting God. The phrase “it is useless for you to fight against my will” paints a vivid picture of struggle. Paul’s encounter with Jesus didn’t begin a transformation; it revealed that transformation was already being pressed upon him.

We often experience the same tension. God nudges, convicts, and calls us forward, yet we resist because obedience feels uncomfortable or costly. Paul’s story reminds us that surrender is not loss- it is the pathway to freedom.

“The most life transforming moments of my life have been some of the hardest seasons of my life.” - Pastor Stacey Crawford

Jesus didn’t just reveal Himself to Paul; He gave him a purpose:

• To be a servant and witness
• To proclaim forgiveness of sins
• To help people turn from darkness to light
• To bring Gentiles into God’s family
  
  

Paul’s transformation wasn’t only personal- it was missional. Encountering Jesus always leads outward. True faith doesn’t stop at belief; it results in obedience and action.

Paul’s encounter with Jesus was decisive, but it was not the end of his transformation—it was the beginning. From that moment forward, Paul lived a life of repentance, obedience, and outward focus. He continually turned toward God and aligned his life with the truth he now believed.

This reminds us that transformation is not a single event but a lifelong process. Following Jesus means continually choosing trust over comfort, obedience over ease, and God’s purposes over our own.

One of the most striking aspects of Paul’s testimony is his attitude. Even while imprisoned and on trial, Paul remained focused on what God had called him to do. His freedom, comfort, and even his life were secondary to the mission of sharing Jesus.

Paul challenges us to examine our own lives. Are we primarily focused on protecting our comfort, or are we open to being used by God wherever He places us? An outward-focused faith sees everyday moments - relationships, interruptions, and challenges - as opportunities for God to work through us.

“It is an opportunity to turn from darkness to light.” - Pastor Chris Reed

Paul’s story assures us that no one is beyond God’s reach. Jesus met Paul at his worst and turned him into one of the most influential voices in the early church. That same Jesus still interrupts lives today, calling people out of darkness and into light.
If God can transform Paul, He can transform anyone- including us.