Who are you, Lord?

Today's reading: Acts 21-24

I answered, 'Who are you, Lord?' Then he said to me, 'I am Jesus of Nazareth whom you are persecuting.'Acts 22:8 NRSV

I have always wanted to know why Paul calls Jesus "Lord," yet doesn't seem to know who he is. Is this like saying, "Who are you, mister?" Why call this voice Lord if you don't know who this is?

I think this Damascus road experience must have been so inexplicable that it could only be the Lord. But Paul is still unsure. He is, afterall, on his way to arrest Jesus of Nazareth's followers. He isn't really the Son of God, is he? Jesus isn't really Lord, is he? We got the lights, the fall and the voice but surely there is some other explanation.

At least that is what we do today. We get the light, the fall and the voice but still we want to find a completely scientific and measurable explanation of what has happened to us. It isn't God, is it? Who are you.....Lord?

Maybe you don't have a conversion story like Paul's but perhaps you have an experience where you have been knocked on your behind, heard a voice speaking to your heart or been temporarily blinded. You may have guessed it was the Lord but were still unsure. I think Jesus does come to us in such inexplicable, unexplainable ways.

God, thank you for getting our attention. May we pay attention and focus on you. In our Lord's name we pray. Amen.

Copyright 2010 Amelia G. Sims