Actes 9:8-9

And Saul arose, and … they led him by the hand.

Hand led

A wonderful change in the soul of which this was the symbol.

I. The hand yielded.

1. Confession of futile character of past opposition. Sense of helplessness.

2. Trust in a newly discovered guide.

II. The hand grasped. Soldiers accompany Saul, or strangers to him; they yet represented Divine guidance given in weakness. The responsibility of those who offer to guide.

III. The hand kept--a type of soul attitude. Continue with Christ. True progress was the outcome of being led. We shall be brought to the great ends of life by being led. We shall attain rest. We need to gain that submissiveness embodied in “Lead, kindly light.” (A. F. Muir, M. A.)

And was three days without sight.--

What Saul felt in his seclusion and saw in his blindness

Only one other space of three days’ duration can be mentioned of equal importance. The conflict of Saul’s feelings was so great and his remorse so piercing that he could neither eat nor drink. He could have no communication with the Christians, for they had been terrified by the news of his approach, and the Jews could have no sympathy with his present state of mind. He fasted and prayed in silence. The recollections of his early years--the passages of Scripture which he had never understood--the thoughts of his own cruelty--the memory of the last looks of Stephen--all these crowded into his mind, and made the three days equal to long years of repentance. And if there was one feeling which above all others kept possession of his heart it was that suggested by Christ’s expostulation, and this feeling would be attended with thoughts of peace, with hope and faith. He waited on God; and in his blindness a vision was granted unto him. (Dean Howson.)

Saul at Damascus

Just as an eagle which has been drenched and battered by some fierce storm will alight to plume its ruffled wings, so when a great soul has passed “through fire and water,” it needs some quiet place in which to rest. Like Moses, like Elijah, like our Lord Himself, like almost every great soul in ancient or modern times to whom has been entrusted the task of swaying the destinies by moulding the convictions of mankind--like Sakya Mount, like Mohammed in the cave at Hira, like St. Francis of Assist in his sickness, like Luther in the monastery of Erfurt, Paul would need a quiet period in which to elaborate his thoughts, to still the tumult of his emotions, to commune in secrecy and silence with his own soul. (Archdeacon Farrar.)

The three days’ sepulture for the inward man

I. The old must pass away.

1. The old light is gone.

2. The old enjoyments are no longer palatable.

3. The old activity is paralysed.

4. The old friends are away.

II. The new is quietly preparing.

1. A new light is kindling within.

2. A new salvation is rising up in the soul.

3. Strength is collecting for a new calling.

4. New friends are standing at the door. (K. Gerok.)