Essays
Kicking Against The Goads
KICKING AGAINST THE GOADS
Have you ever found yourself “kicking against the goads”? A goad was a sharply-pointed stick used by farmers to prod their work animals (to capture their attention and to encourage their cooperation). In the period of time prior to his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1ff), God had been prodding Saul of Tarsus (Acts 26:14). How this happened we can’t say with certainty. It is possible that Saul had actually heard Jesus speak. If not, surely he had heard from others about the teachings & miracles of this man from Galilee. Perhaps Saul was hearing testimonies about Jesus from the household of Simon of Cyrene (the one who bore the cross of Jesus and was the father of Rufus / Mk.15:21). Rufus’ mother was held in high esteem by Saul (Rom.16:13). Might it be that the words and demeanor of Stephen (the first Christian martyr) served to work on the mind and heart of Saul of Tarsus (cf. Acts 6:14 & 7:58-60)?
Have you ever seen Saul in yourself - - resisting the word and will of God? While the providence of God will not usurp our free will, God is nevertheless not shy about prodding us. Can you not hear God speaking to you in the Scriptures? Is your heart closed to the kind words of wisdom being offered by dear friends and family? Perhaps it’s time for you to do as Saul did in Damascus, Syria, long ago - - “to humbly receive the word which is able to save your soul” (Js.1:21) and TO BECOME “A DOER OF THE WORD” (Js.1:22).
Ananias said to Saul, “Why do you delay? Arise, and be baptized and wash away your sins…” (Acts 22:16). What a turning point this proved to be for Saul! What a change that was wrought by Saul’s “obedience of faith” (Rom.1:5). With deep reflection, Saul chose to stop the deflection and say yes to reception. Thus Saul became Paul - - a devoted disciple of Christ. Can you see yourself in Paul?
Terry Siverd / Cortland Church of Christ
