Your conversion is a miracle of Christ (April 18,  2010)
By Rev. Steve Bagnall

The older I get the more I appreciate a magnifying glass. When I was a boy they were mainly useful for trying to light things on fire using the sun’s rays. But now that my sight isn’t what it once was, I understand what a wonderful gift the magnifier is.

Someone will send me a photo on the computer and when I open it, it’s about THIS big and I can barely make it out. Who is that next to Aunt Martha? Then, when I magnify the image I see that its cousin Charlie, and that isn’t Aunt Martha at all, it’s a tree!

Well, just like my physical sight is failing, our spiritual sight is not so good. We humans are sinful and selfish, and so we don’t understand spiritual things without some help from God. And even then, to help us out God sometimes magnifies a spiritual event so we can see the details.

What do I mean? Well, one example is Jesus’ baptism. There God magnifies the spiritual activity of the sacrament so that we can see it. The Holy Spirit descends and remains and God says, “This is my son whom I love.” Well, ever since Jesus’ baptism the same thing has happened in every Christian’s Baptism. It happened for Baby Jacob this past Wednesday in a hospital room at Henry Ford Medical Center. We didn’t see it – our spiritual eyes are too weak – but God the Holy Spirit came to Him and remained on Him and God the Father said, “This little guy is my son and I love Him. We might not know that wonderful fact if God had not magnified the miracle at Jesus’ baptism.

Well, in the same way, Paul’s conversion is no different from any other Christian’s – no different from yours and mine. A little more dramatic, but that’s because God has magnified it so that we can understand conversion better.

First let’s look at Saul. He’s going about his business, trying to be a good person. He is sure that his life really pleases God, that his place in heaven is certain because of all his good work. Kind of like many of us before we were called to faith. Everyone lives the way he or she thinks is right. Like Saul, we can even convince ourselves that up is down and left is right. Saul’s opposition to Jesus may be more obvious than most people’s but it really isn’t different.

But then the voice of the resurrected Son of God rings out in the most unexpected place and Saul’s entire world is thrown into disarray. Where did this power come from? Who is this being who has so affected me, and what terrible thing will He do to me.

Doesn’t sound familiar? It should. Isn’t it true that even when the word of God is whispered by a three-year-old it is still the powerful voice of Jesus Himself? When God’s Word of Law reaches the heart of the unbeliever his or her spirit is bowled over, just like Saul’s body was overwhelmed. And they wonder who this powerful voice comes from, and why does it cause them such fear. For the first time they begin to see the terror of hell and that they really deserve it.

Once the Law has broken Saul’s proud spirit, God sends a human messenger with His word of hope and comfort. Ananias comes to the confused and fearful Saul with this glorious message: “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, Who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Once the Law works in a person’s heart, God sends a Christian with that most glorious news: “Jesus has forgiveness for you. Come and receive the Spirit in Baptism and be saved.”

Saul’s conversion is a great miracle; he went from an enemy of Christ to being His chosen vessel, His messenger of love. But my friends, it is by the same great miracle that you have been brought to Jesus Christ. You were also an enemy of Jesus until the voice of the Savior brought you to your knees with His law, and then lifted you again with His gospel of forgiveness and the glorious power of the Sacrament of Baptism.

Never forget that your conversion is a miracle, that your life in Christ is entirely His gracious act, and that He has chosen you to be His vessel, His messenger of love. Perhaps you have not gone from murderer of Christians to missionary preacher, but you have been called from being a slave to sin and citizen of darkness to being a beacon of God’s light to everyone you meet. You do bring God’s love when you care for your family, when you help the church in whatever way you can, when you assist your neighbor, when you hold a worthwhile and helpful job that cares for people’s needs. Maybe it’s not as flashy as with Paul, but you, my brothers and sisters, are the miracles of God.

Why do I tell you all this? Because when we forget, we take all this for granted. Our faith, and the blessed Word and Sacraments become in our minds “the same old – same old.” We stop marveling at the miracle where Jesus adds His Body and Blood to bread and wine, where He feeds us forgiveness, where sinners like you and me are cleansed and purified by the simple word of Jesus.

Your conversion was a miracle of Christ, performed specifically on and for you. And each time He forgives you, each time He speaks to you, each time He feeds you it is likewise a miracle for the ages. Jesus died, Jesus rose, Jesus will come again. And He takes us with Him. What a miracle! Alleluia. Amen
e. Amen.