Saul was ravaging the church.

Acts 8:1-3, And Saul approved of his execution. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him. But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison.

Jesus said that it would be easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God. His disciples asked the right question, who then can be saved? And Jesus gives us a glimpse into the amazing sovereignty and grace of God: “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” The problem of sin is that it is endemic: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” By our very nature, we all miss the mark. Given the proper circumstances none of us is fundamentally different than Saul acting out his murderous threats. The amazing thing is not that God calls Saul to come to life in Christ as Paul, but that he calls anyone at all!

We thank you for your great mercy shown towards us in the cross where our sin meets your justice once and for all that we may be called, saved and sanctified by your might grace!

ESV Lectionary