In telling the story of Paul's conversion Paul said that Jesus spoke to him on the road to Damascus. In Acts 26:14 Paul says that Jesus told him,
"And when we all had fallen to the ground, I heard a voice speaking to me and saying in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ "
Kicking Against The Goads
You and I might be puzzled by the expression our Lord uses when He says "It is hard for you to kick against the goads." The word goad is sometimes translated "pricks". The meaning of this phrase was well known to the people of the time. A goad was a tool, much like a cattle prod, that was used to keep oxen in line. Sometimes when the oxen would protest against the goad they would kick. In kicking they only made the pain worse. So what is Jesus actually saying to Saul (Paul)?
Saul Persecutes Christians
God knew from the moment of Saul's birth that he would become Paul, the great missionary for Christ to the gentiles (non-Jewish people). Saul had been raised as a devout Jew. Well educated, he thought by persecuting Christians he was being faithful to God. But Jesus lets him know that by persecuting Christians he is really persecuting Jesus Himself. At this point in Saul's life he has confidence in his own ability to keep the law and be righteous (Philippians 3: 4-6). Later Saul will know that only the righteousness of Christ will save him.
Apparently, God had been at work in Saul's heart for some time. The goads Jesus referred to had been working on Saul. He had seen Christians, like Stephen, accept their deaths with calmness and peace. Participating in the deaths of Christians like Stephen probably made him feel powerful but instead he was powerless to stop the growth of Christianity. He was powerless to defy successfully the will of God.
What Were The Goads?
The 'goads' were the pain, the anger, the conflicting emotions that Saul knew when he persecuted Christians. The contrast between their peace and his inner turmoil must have been stark. Where was Saul's peace? In Acts 9:1(b) we are told that Saul was threatening the disciples of the Lord to the point of murder. Saul thought he was behaving righteously but something in his spirit, those goads, were trying to help him see another way. They were pointing him in the direction they wanted him to go; to a meeting with Christ Himself on the road to Damascus.
How about you and I? Do we ever "kick against the goads"? I know many people who grew up as Christians, abandoned their faith and then after many years of misery returned to their Savior. What goads had they experienced? Failing to find peace, true joy or meaning in their lives they remembered back to their faith in Christ and returned to find their hope.
Jesus Calls Saul and Us
Just as Saul was addressed by name by Jesus on the road to Damascus so today, He addresses each of us by name. He knows us. He knows our destiny. He knows what our lives can become if they are grounded in faith in Him. The promises of Christ, the love of Christ is not just some vague nicety that is for everyone, no, it is specifically for YOU.
Jesus Asks Why?
What does Jesus say next, He asks Saul a simple question, "Why?" Why Saul do you persecute me? To this question Saul had no reply. What could he say? This Christ who Saul thought was moldering in a tomb was now revealed to him plainly as the Son of God who was and is and is to come. What do we say to Jesus when He asks us this question? "Why" do we live our lives without Him? Why do we hate the light and love the dark? What does it gain us?
It's Hard To Kick Against The Goads
And finally Jesus makes a statement of fact, "It is hard to kick against the goads." It is certainly a futile life that is lived in opposition to the will of God. Our sins have consequences, often heavy ones. We only harm ourselves when we go against the will of God. Haven't you heard that inner voice saying, "Don't do it."? And, after having done it anyway, knowing the haunting feelings of remorse. There is another metaphor the Lord uses about oxen, that Jesus's yoke is easy and His burden is light. In Him we find our rest.
Our Joy Is Christ
Pastor Charles Stanley had this to say about Paul, “he [Paul] was unworthy of salvation and undeserving of mercy or favor (1 Timothy 1:15-16). It was gratitude for salvation that fueled his devotion and dedication to the cause of Christ." After Saul becomes Paul he goes on to be a great ambassador for Christ. Ultimately Paul's joy and ours is found in Christ. Or are you still "kicking against the goads?"
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