Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest 2 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. Acts 9:1-2

Why was Saul still vehement about throwing Christians in jail? Not only did he persecute them but he went out of his way to do it. He even got implicit permission to do it from the high priest who gave him letters of passage to give to Damascan synagogue leaders. But why? We know that he was a very intelligent and fervent leader himself. What did he gain from the hostilities?

We all have people who oppose us, though probably not as dramatic as this. Sometimes you may not even know why they’re hostile towards you. The Bible teaches us to “pray for those who persecute us” Matthew 5:44. Whatever bitterness that person has will show itself even stronger. Don’t let that discourage you because God is probably still working on that person in ways you can’t know. Continue to pray.