Jesus blinded Saul on the road to Damascus to stop his violent campaign against the early church, match his inner spiritual blindness with a physical sign and humble him so he could be reshaped into a chosen messenger for the faith. Saul thought he was serving God by arresting believers, but he was actually blind to who Jesus truly was. The physical darkness mirrored his spiritual state. The three days of total darkness and fasting forced a proud, powerful religious leader to slow down, become helpless and rethink his entire life. Instead of striking Saul down with punishment for hurting His followers, Jesus offered mercy and a new mission, turning an enemy into the Apostle Paul.