Why did Paul never meet Jesus even though both of them had been around Jerusalem?
We know very little of the Apostle Paul before his conversion on the way to Damascus. We do know by reading Acts 7:54-8:3 that Saul (Paul’s name before he was converted) was at the stoning of Stephen and that “he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.” (Acts 8:3).
We also know of Paul’s religious training. We read that he was “Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.” (Philippians 3:5-6).
According to many who have written about Paul, his date of birth has been estimated to be somewhere between 4 BC and 6 AD, so his age would have been close to that of the Lord Jesus. While there is no evidence that the Lord Jesus ever met Paul while He was on the earth, it is clear that Paul was aware of Him. As Paul spoke of the Lord Jesus, we read in Acts 26:24-26, “And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad. But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness. For the king knoweth of these things, before whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for THIS THING WAS NOT DONE IN A CORNER.” The works and words of the Lord were well known among the people, including Paul.
There are several prominent men in the New Testament that we have no record of them meeting the Lord in the flesh. Paul, Timothy, Mark, Luke, etc. While these men may have not seen the Lord, they were certainly influenced by Him and followed Him as their Lord and savior.
We do rejoice in the fact that the Lord finally met Paul (Saul), even as he was working to persecute Christians. We read in Acts 9:1-6, “And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.”
It was on this eventful day that Paul met the Lord, bowed to Him as Lord, and lived the rest of his life in service to Him. What about you, dear reader? Have you met the Lord? Have you bowed before Him, owning Him as savior and Lord? Are you living your life in service to Him? Even as Saul had his ‘special’ day of coming to the Lord, may you come to Him today and put your faith in Him. Your life and your eternity will never be the same! (414.4)