It was a hard and humiliating command to one like Saul!
He—so well versed in classical learning, honoured for his superior attainments, followed by numbers who trusted implicitly in his wise counsels—must he indeed in submissive obedience learn from the lips of man what was the Will of God?
Was it not also harder still to hear that he should be required to teach the very faith he had openly despised to the Gentiles, for whom, as a Pharisee, he had the deepest contempt and scorn?
It was hard to human nature, but Divine grace was strong, and Saul did not hesitate, but suffered his attendants to lead him to Damascus, still blind from the effect of the wondrous light which had shone upon and around him, there to do whatever God should direct.
In the grand old city, in a street called "Straight," which is said still to exist, there dwelt near the eastern gate a man named Judas, who received Saul into his house. While staying there, a vision was granted to the sufferer, promising him relief, and naming a Christian man of that city who should speedily come and visit him.
This man was Ananias, who also was directed from heaven to seek out Saul of Tarsus, the well-known persecutor of Christians.
That name had a terror for the servants of God in Damascus, and Ananias was alarmed.
"Behold, he prays," the voice had said, and yet the Christian hesitated, for he knew fall well that Saul had received from the high priest authority to bind all who were followers of Jesus.