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The manifestation of Jesus subdued the great man into a little child. He inquires, with sacred curiosity, "Who art Thou, Lord?" and then surrenders at discretion, crying, "What wilt Thou have me to do?"

I. THE EARNEST INQUIRER SEEKING TO KNOW HIS LORD.

1. He is not only willing to learn, but he is eager to be taught. If men were but anxious to understand the truth, they would soon learn it and receive it.

2. The subject he wished to be taught. You have heard that Christ is the Saviour, let your ambition be to know all about Him. Saints on earth, and even saints in heaven, are always wanting to have this question more fully answered, "Who art Thou, Lord?"(1) What is Thy person? Learn well that He is man, thy brother, touched with the feelings of thy infirmities, yet is He God eternal, infinite, full of all power and majesty.

(2) What are Thy offices? He is a Prophet; thou must be instructed by Him. He is a Priest; He has offered sacrifice, and thou must accept it as being for thee. He is a King, and thou must let Him govern thee.

(3) What are Thy relationships? The Son of the Highest, and yet the brother of the lowest. King of angels and of kings, and yet the friend of sinners.

3. What were the results of having this question answered?

(1) When Paul knew that He whose face had shone upon him brighter than the sun was Jesus of Nazareth, he was seized with contrition. When Christ is unknown we can go on refusing and even persecuting Him; but when we clearly perceive that it is the Son of God and the bleeding Lamb whom we have refused and persecuted, then our hearts melt; we beg His forgiveness, and cast ourselves at His feet.

(2) Hope was encouraged, for though Paul at the sight of the Lord Jesus must have been full of bitter anguish, it was by that same sight that he was afterwards comforted. Art Thou He who came to seek and to save that which was lost? Then is there hope for me. Oh, then, I will trust Him.

(3) It led him to complete submission. He said, "Is this Christ whom I have rejected Lord of all? Then it is indeed hard for me to kick against the pricks. If all power be in His hands, then to oppose Him is as hopeless as it is wicked. O Lord Jesus, be my king." Some human leaders have had such extraordinary influence over their soldiery that they have been cheerfully obeyed, even at the cost of life. The Christ of God has a superlative power over all hearts that know Him. See how Paul felt His influence, and scoured the world to win Christ's lost ones.

4. He sought instruction from the best possible Master; for who can tell us who Christ is but Christ Himself? Here is His book. It is the looking glass. Jesus is yonder, and He looks into it, and you may see His reflected image; darkly, however, at the best. So, too, when you hear His faithful servants preach you may see somewhat of Christ; but there is no sight of Christ like that which comes personally to your own soul by the Holy Spirit.

II. THE OBEDIENT DISCIPLE REQUESTING DIRECTION. "Whosoever believeth in Jesus has everlasting life" is the basis doctrine of the gospel; but you may not believe in Him and then live as you like. Hence the question, "Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?" The apostle here puts himself into the position of a soldier waiting for orders. He will not stir till he has received his officer's command. Before it used to be, "What will Moses have me to do?" And with some now present it has been, "What should I like to do?" Now take heed that Christ be your Master, and nobody else. It would never do to say, "What would the Church have me to do?" nor even "What would an apostle have me to do?" Paul said, "Be ye followers of me, even as I am also of Christ." But if Paul does not follow Christ, we must not follow Paul. "Though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel, let him be accursed." "One is your Master, even Christ." This obedience is —

1. Personal. I have little enough to do with my neighbours. They have their duty; but, Lord, what wouldst Thou have me to do? Other persons must follow the light they have; but, Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do? Let it separate the nearest ties, let it cause your past friends to give you the cold shoulder, let it subject you to persecution even unto death; you have nothing to do with these consequences, your business is to say, "Show me what Thou wouldst have me to do, and I will do it." Note again —

2. Prompt. He does not ask to be allowed a little delay. If you would have salvation, you must be ready to follow Christ tonight. Tonight, it may be, is the time when the Spirit of God is struggling with you, and if resisted He never may return.

3. Unconditional. Saul little knew what the doing of his Master's will would involve, but he was prepared for it. Oh, you that would be Christians, do not suppose that it is just believing something — an article of a creed, or undergoing a ceremony — that will save you; you must, if you are Christ's, yield yourselves up to Him. Conclusion: It is by knowing Christ that you will learn to obey Him, and the more you obey Him the more easy it will be: and in obeying Him you will find your honour. Paul at this day stands in a most honourable place in the Church of God, simply because being called of God to do His will he did it faithfully even to the end.

(C. H. Spurgeon.)

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KJV: And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

WEB: He said, "Who are you, Lord?" The Lord said, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.