Then somehow our paths diverted. I heard that he has become a follower of this blasphemer called Jesus. Now, my blood boils when I hear his name. He claims to be the Messiah himself. But we all know where he is from. He is basically a carpenter from a small town called Nazareth. Who might have learnt a little bit of magic, a little bit of sorcery. A little bit of fraudery too may be. May be he healed a few people. May be he did a few miracles. May be he did things out of divine power. May be he is a prophet from God. And his teachings were also acceptable. But the moment he calls us all sinners and him as God, a Jew cannot listen to it and not do anything. As if he is no sinner. His friends are all sinners. How come? How does he explain that? And when he says he is one with Yahweh. Oh! That is horrendous for me to hear. I need to protect my faith. I need to protect my god. I need to protect my people from any sort of heterodoxy. I couldn't do anything then. I was young.
But now. Why Stephen, why? Why did you just wander off from the truth. Why did you have to do it? You would have had a brilliant future. May be I would have been a future Gamaliel and you a future Sheltiel. We would have had wonderful arguements with each other in the temples. Why did u have to join this cult which has grown stronger after this man's death. They say he has resurrected. Absurd things they say. And how could a brilliant guy like you believe in these lies. We all know what the Roman soldiers told. It's all based on lies, Stephen. Why do you deliberately believe in lies, knowing it's a lie.
Look at the audacity with which he speaks. The glory on his face. Brilliantly he narrates the entire story of Israel. He has got the big picture. Oh! Sheltiel has taught you well.
Wait! did he just accuse all of us that we killed all our prophets. In a way what he said is true. Our ancestors were all stubborn. But what did we do. We are waiting for the Messiah, Stephen. We did not kill anybody. Why are you blaming us.
And as he looks up he says he sees the Son of man standing on the right side of God. That is blasphemy. He has prooved that he is a follower of the blasphemer himself. No one can see God. He claims to see God. He claims that Jesus is God. Yes. All the teachers are doing the same thing I wanted to do. Let us all close our ears. We can't listen to this atrocity. Go get him. Drag him out of the city. Stone him with the biggest stones that you can find. Jews will not tolerate any such attrocity mo matter how dear a friend he is to me. Stephen has to die. Oh what bright future he had. I pity him. But no. This is not something pardonable.
Yes sir, give me your coat. I will take care of it. You can stone him. You should stone him. I will take care of your belongings as you crush this blasphemy. I approve.
But as he leaves his spirit, he kneels down with a smile in his face. How? There is a shine on his face. How? He is praying for us. How? How Stephen how can you do this? I have heard this prayer somewhere.... Lord don't charge them of this sin.. I don't remember where! Has my intelligence failed me for the first time?
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Five years have passed since that incident. His smiling face as he breathes his last still lingers around in my mind. Looking up, smiling at someone, he dies. Praying for us who killed him. Praying for me as I approved of his stoning. I still remember, as he was dragged out side the city, as he came near me, he said, "My dear Saul, repent"
I can't forget all those things.
But the vehemence of crushing the heterodoxy was consuming me. I was not able to listen to all they are saying and not do anything. I am man who is devoted to my God. I cannot stand somebody telling anything against my God. Be it my own family. I will kill. The levitical priests who killed their own families who sinned against God is my true example. And I know God will reward me. And I have been quiet successful as I do this. I was able to convince the authorities about my fervour. And now I'm in charge. Im the usurper now. And I will defend my values. But their is something disturbing in my heart. Can't figure out what. Something unexpected is about to happen I believe. Oh! Stop Saul. Don't think about anything else. You do what you are expected to do in Damascus.
A bright light.....
The horse is fearful.....
Jumps up high....
I fall low....
Full darkness....
Is it an eclipse or something? Just like what happened when they crucified the blasphemer.
"Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" Such a powerful voice. But I can't see a thing. Ruel, my friend who is it? I don't know Saul, I heard a voice, but don't know from where.
Ruel, why has it become suddenly dark. No my friend. The sun is bright.... I don't understand what you are talking?
"Who are you Lord? "
"I am Jesus whom you persecute! "
Wait! He was dead right? I was risen from the dead.
How? Do you want to know?
Yes!
I will send you a man, dear Saul. You are a chosen instrument to tell about me to the gentiles and to the kings and to the people of Israel.
You were blind. And you are about to see.
🙏
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