https://odb.org/2026/10/20/you-do-it-to-me
Acts 9:1-6 (NIV): Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”
In September 1963, Welsh artist John Petts heard the news that a racially motivated bombing of 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama, had killed four African American girls. Wanting to help, he offered to replace the church’s shattered stained-glass window. The people of Wales soon raised the funds. Petts’ striking replacement window shows Jesus on the cross, His right hand pressing against the frame to signify His pushing out hatred, and His left hand open, offering forgiveness. Along the bottom of the window run the words, you do it to me. Before his conversion, Saul persecuted Jesus’ disciples (Acts 9:1-2). Yet, when Christ appeared to him, He said, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” (v. 4). Jesus identifies so closely with His people that to harm or bless them is to harm or bless the Lord Himself. (Sheridan Voysey, Our Daily Bread 20th October 2026)
It is interesting to note that when we read Acts 9, we are usually focussed on the transformation and conversion of Paul, the Apostle (Paul being his name in Greek while Saul is in Hebrew). However today Sheridan’s focus is on the phrase, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”. Paul in persecuting the Jewish followers of the Way (early believers of Christ), was in fact persecuting Christ Himself. Paul, a powerful official of the Senhadrin in Jerusalem, believed that those Jews following the Way were deviant Jews who need to be retaught the faith.
When non-believers mock and persecute us for our faith, they are actually mocking Christ Himself as we the universal church is one body in Him, with Christ as Head. As the body of Christ, we are united as one in the name of Jesus although in reality we are a diverse mix of different race, cultures, upbringing and also differing walks of faith. The latter with each of us having our own path to walk, in accordance with His calling, and God’s plans and purposes, yet we are all one large global body in Christ.
Know that when we make a stand for God, we do not stand alone in our own strength and might. We have the whole body of Christ behind us and most importantly Christ is with us. Remember if people mock us or laugh at us, they are mocking and laughing at Christ. Not us alone, but Christ too. Thus the phrase, “Vengeance is mine. I will repay” – originally, in Deuteronomy 32:25 and requoted in Romans 12:19 and Hebrews 10:30 – takes a deeper and more significant meaning. The LORD Himself will deal with those who dealt harshly against us because of our faith. If we are marginalised or discriminated because of our belief and conviction, God will be our shelter, rock and stronghold. Our life is a living sacrifice, lived for Christ anyway. It is no longer I who liveth but Christ who liveth in me! But remember, He that is in me is greater than he that is in the world!
Have a good week ahead, everyone!
‘“The Lord bless you
and keep you;
the Lord make his face shine on you
and be gracious to you;
the Lord turn his face toward you
and give you peace.”’
(Numbers 6:24-26 – also known as the Aaronic blessings).
