Homilist Acts 22:6-10 And it came to pass, that, as I made my journey, and was come near to Damascus about noon… Christ was in heaven when He spoke those words, and they were addressed to Saul on his way to Damascus. Nazareth was the early home of Jesus. Though not born there, yet there He was brought up. I. That a change of worlds does not destroy the PERSONAL IDENTITY OF MAN. Christ had died, ascended to heaven, and yet He says, "I am Jesus of Nazareth"; I am the same Being that was brought up in Nazareth. Sublimely encouraging to us is it that Jesus, who was here on earth, so full of tenderness and love, is the same Jesus now in heaven. Nor does the change of worlds destroy the identity of men. Abraham is the same as when he dwelt in the tents of Mature. A man once, a man forever. Conscious personality will always be preserved. The words suggest — II. That great natures are NEVER ASHAMED OF THEIR ORIGIN, HOWEVER HUMBLE. "Jesus of Nazareth!" "Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?" Christ, though amidst the highest aristocracy of the Creator, was not ashamed of His origin. III. That the meanest spots on earth, when they become the SCENES OF HOLY LIVES, ARE FAMOUS IN THE UNIVERSE. "I am Jesus of Nazareth." No doubt sainted men talk of the varied scenes of their earthly life in the upper spheres of being. (Homilist.) Parallel Verses KJV: And it came to pass, that, as I made my journey, and was come nigh unto Damascus about noon, suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me. |
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