But “He that sitteth in heaven laughs them to scorn, the LORD has them in derision.” And therefore, verse 3. “As _Saul_ journeyed, and came even near unto _Damascus_,” perhaps to the very gates, (our LORD permitting this, to try the faith of his disciples, and more conspicuously to baffle the designs of his enemies) “suddenly (at mid-day, as he acquaints _Agrippa_) there shined round about him a light from heaven,” a light brighter than the sun; “and he fell to the earth (why not into hell?) and heard a voice saying unto him, _Saul, Saul_, why persecutest thou me?” The word is doubled, “_Saul, Saul_:” Like that of our LORD to _Martha_; “_Martha, Martha_;” or the prophet, “O earth, earth, earth!” Perhaps these words came like thunder to his soul. That they were spoken audibly, we are assured from verse 7. “His companions heard the voice.” Our LORD now arrests the persecuting zealot, calling him by name; for the word never does us good, till we find it spoken to us in particular. “_Saul, Saul_, Why persecutest thou Me?” Put the emphasis upon the word _why_, what evil have I done? Put it upon the word _persecutest_, why persecutest? I suppose _Saul_ thought he was not persecuting; no, he was only putting the laws of the ecclesiastical court into execution; but JESUS, whose eyes are as a flame of fire, saw through the hypocrisy of his heart, that, notwithstanding his specious pretences, all this proceeded from a persecuting spirit, and secret enmity of heart against GOD; and therefore says, “Why persecutest thou me?” Put the emphasis upon the word _me_, why persecutest thou me? alas! _Saul_ was not persecuting CHRIST, was he? he was only taking care to prevent innovations in the church, and bringing a company of enthusiasts to justice, who otherwise would overturn the established constitution. But JESUS says, “Why persecutest thou me?” For what is done to CHRIST’s disciples, he takes as done to himself, whether it be good, or whether it be evil. He that touches CHRIST’s disciples, touches the apple of his eye; and they who persecute the followers of our LORD, would persecute our LORD himself, was he again to come and tabernacle amongst us.
I do not find that _Saul_ gives any reason why he did persecute; no, he was struck dumb; as every persecutor will be, when JESUS CHRIST puts this same question to them at the terrible day of judgment. But being pricked at the heart, no doubt with a sense not only of this, but of all his other offences against the great GOD, he said, verse 5. “Who art thou, LORD?” See how soon GOD can change the heart and voice of his most bitter enemies. Not many days ago, _Saul_ was not only blaspheming CHRIST himself, but, as much as in him lay, compelling others to blaspheme also: but now, he, who before was an imposter, is called _Lord_; “Who art thou, LORD?” This admirably points out the way in which GOD’s Spirit works upon the heart: it first powerfully convinces of sin, and of our damnable state; and then puts us upon enquiring after JESUS CHRIST. _Saul_ being struck to the ground, or pricked to the heart, cries out after JESUS, “Who art thou, LORD?” As many of you that were never so far made sensible of your damnable state, as to be made feelingly to seek after JESUS CHRIST, were never yet truly convicted by, much less converted to, GOD. May the LORD, who struck _Saul_, effectually now strike all my christless hearers, and set them upon enquiring after JESUS, as their all in all! _Saul_ said, “Who art thou, LORD? And the LORD said, I am JESUS, whom thou persecutest.” Never did any one enquire truly after JESUS CHRIST, but CHRIST made a saving discovery of himself, to his soul. It should seem, our LORD appeared to him in person; for _Ananias_, afterwards, says, “The LORD who appeared to thee in the way which thou camest;” though this may only imply CHRIST’s meeting him in the way; it is not much matter: it is plain CHRIST here speaks to him, and says, “I am JESUS, whom thou persecutest.” It is remarkable, how our LORD takes to himself the name of _Jesus_; for it is a name in which he delights: I am JESUS, a Saviour of my people, both from the guilt and power of their sins; “a JESUS, whom thou persecutest.” This seems to be spoken to convince _Saul_ more and more of his sin; and I doubt not, but every word was sharper than a two-edged sword, and came like so many daggers to his heart; O how did these words affect him! a JESUS! a Saviour! and yet I am persecuting him! this strikes him with horror; but then the word JESUS, though he was a persecutor, might give him some hope. However, our dear LORD, to convince _Saul_ that he was to be saved by grace, and that he was not afraid of his power and enmity, tells him, “It is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.” As much as to say, though he was persecuting, yet he could not overthrow the church of CHRIST: for he would sit as King upon his holy hill of _Zion_; the malice of men or devils should never be able to prevail against him.