Man on Fire: Part I

Denzel Washington is one of the greatest actors of my era. In his movie, "Man on Fire" he had ceased doing work in law enforcement in the private sector. It was his career. He has been removed from his last few assignments due to a problem with alcoholism.

We see a man who was highly decorated and once recognized by his peers for his special skill-set. He was the "best of the best." But his love of Jack Daniels overtakes him, and therefore; his ability to be effective has been lost.

A long-time colleague and friend, Christopher Walken, finds him an assignment in Colombia. This particular assignment should be simple. As a friend knowing that he needs to work instead of befriending bourbon; that of being a errand-runner and bodyguard for a young school girl, Dakota Fanning, should restart his engine. This seemingly cushy job, turns into much more than he had "signed up" for. Events ensue that requires him to open up his playbook of mastery in law enforcement tactics, far beyond the initial scope of his duties. The development of a kidnapped child awakens and beckons the mercenary within him. He has to return to what he once was, a Man on Fire.

He must complete the mission he was hired to do. Return the child to the safety of her mother, Rhoda Mitchell; who retained him despite his honesty regarding his issue with drinking. Jack Daniels will have to wait.

The end comes as quite a surprise, but during the film we see a man who struggles with his faith in Jesus, wanting to believe in a return to a God that he once believed in.

Paul became a "Man on Fire", but we see him admittedly say in the spoken word that he was once the "chief of sinners."

One point to remember is how Paul's transformation took place. He was against the church; against Christ; a complete oppositional party. Paul was once Saul. Even a transformation, a renaming of the man himself comes about after his transformation from being blind, to seeing light; literally.

Acts 9:1-2 says, "Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord's disciples. He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem."

It was on the road from Damascus to Jerusalem that Saul's life would take a dramatic, transformational turn.

Starting in Acts 9:3, the Bible says, "As he neared Damascus on his journey, a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice around him say, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?"
"Who are you, Lord?" Saul asked.
"I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.," he replied. "Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do."
The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything."

A few verses later, we see a man of God, Ananias, go to Saul of Tarsus as instructed in a vision from God. Prior to going to Saul, he explains to the Lord his knowledge of Saul's harm to the Holy people of God, citing his plan to imprison all who acknowledged God, the King.

Ananias went.

Acts 9:17-19, "Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord - Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here - has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit." Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he could see again. He got up, and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength.

In the coming days, we will see the enormity and value to all of us, as we watch the transformation that Saul to Paul unfolds; bringing incredible value to all that can grab onto this "Man on Fire;" following his example in the formation of the early church as a disciple for the Lord.