Paul: A Heart Set Free

2015 Easter Cantata
"Paul: A Heart Set Free" is a first-person account of the encounter by the Apostle Paul with the Lord Jesus Christ. The life of Saul of Tarsus is dramatically changed when Jesus suddenly confronts him on the road to Damascus! In word and in song, the grace and power of the risen Christ is proclaimed, so that He might set the hearts free of all who listen and trust in Him!

This script, along with its selected music, is suitable for churches and choirs of any size. Only one speaker is necessary, to portray the experience of the Apostle Paul.
Paul: A Heart Set Free!
Good Morning! I am so glad you are here today because I want to share with you just how much this day means to me! Easter is a very special day! This day we remember the resurrection of Jesus Christ! And today, I can celebrate with you because of God’s profound love to me – a relentless love that set my heart free!

Relentless Love (Verses 1-2)
“God set His love on me – on me – in spite of me!” You see, I grew up in the Roman city of Tarsus. Even though my father was a tent-maker, I enjoyed pursuing things with my mind, as well as working with my hands! In Tarsus, I learned much about the world around me! I learned geography and politics, as well as poetry and philosophy. Often, I was at the top of my class! However, my favorite subjects were the history and the religion of my people! Although my family were all free Roman citizens, we were also devout Jews, and I wanted to learn more about God and how to please Him!

So, I left Tarsus and moved to Jerusalem. There I could study the Law of God exclusively! The days were long, and the lessons were intense! But the more I learned, the more I was convinced that teaching and keeping God’s Law was the most important thing I could do with my life! I was young, passionate and very ambitious! Not only did I want to be the best Jew I could be, I really felt that God could use me to help bring His people back to Him and His Law! This was so needed! Many Jews had been poisoned by Rome and its culture. And some were even influenced by other Jews who taught that God’s Law was no longer relevant! I believed my own people had lost their way, when, in fact, it was I who was lost and blind to the ways of God!

Before I Loved Him
  • Words & Music by Ron Hamilton
  • © 1982 by Majesty Music, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Used By Permission.
  • Hymn #135, Majesty Hymns (1997 Edition)

There was one Jew in particular who upset me more than any other! Many people thought He was a new prophet! Others even thought He was the Messiah, the Son of God! But I considered that blasphemy! As I learned more about this man called Jesus of Nazareth, I saw nothing special about Him. Yet, thousands of Jews listened to Him and followed Him and believed in Him! This, I could not tolerate!

While I was away from Jerusalem for a time, I felt the people finally came to their senses about Jesus of Nazareth. When they were convinced that He was just another impostor, they arrested and crucified Him for blasphemy. Now I could continue my work of promoting the importance of God’s Law among my own people! If they just obeyed what God already gave us, He would set us free again!

I was confident that the Jesus matter was settled – but not for long! When I returned to Jerusalem, there was more excitement about Jesus than ever before! People were claiming they saw Jesus, even after He had been killed – that He rose from the dead! Now, at the time, I knew this was nonsense, but those who believed would not keep their mouths shut! And even worse, they told people that Jesus kept all of God’s Law for them, so they wouldn’t have to; that they could live with complete forgiveness and freedom! I considered this to be not only blasphemy, it was outright rebellion against God and His Law! Yet more and more people were believing this story about Jesus! But soon I would be in a position to do something about it!

I persuaded the Jewish leaders to let me be the one to put a stop to this “Jesus Problem” once and for all! They agreed, so I went after anyone and everyone who promoted these stories about Jesus, both men and women! I went after them with a vengeance! The Chief Priests gave me permission to go anywhere and do anything to wipe out the followers of Jesus. I was going to work swiftly and harshly, so the movement would end as quickly as it began. It was my new mission in life, and God seemed to give me success! As I hunted down the followers of Jesus, I would find them, arrest them, imprison them, and even execute them! As they ran for their lives, I just knew that God had to be pleased with me! But there was nothing further from the truth.

I Was The Thorn

Then, something amazing took place! The more I pursued those Christians, the more they grew in size and strength instead of shrinking! But, I refused to back down! I learned that they were stirring up the Jews in Damascus, so I received permission to head there to remove the growing problem. I determined to go beyond Damascus, if I had to! But, it was on that old road, as I was heading into the city to complete my mission, that my life drastically changed forever!

Suddenly, I saw a brilliant light, even brighter than the sun! Startled, I fell to the ground! Then I heard a strong, clear voice:  “Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?” My body trembled and shook! It was the voice of Jesus!  Jesus – the One who I despised, and whose followers I sought to destroy! Jesus – the One who I thought was dead – but He was alive and talking with me! I was ashamed and terrified, and my boldness and pride melted away!

You Are The Christ

Everything I heard about Jesus was true! Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God; He did come to me in all of His glory! Jesus did die; but He died for my crimes, not His own! Now, Jesus is alive; He rose from the dead and even spoke with me! I cried out to Him with all of my heart: “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?” Jesus, the living Jesus, spoke with me and told me to go into the city to wait.

When silence returned, and the brilliance faded away, I could not see! As I struggled to my feet, my eyes were darkened, but my heart was quickened! Because I was blind, I had to be led the rest of the way into Damascus. And for three days I waited, remembering what I had heard about Jesus, even from those I persecuted and had killed! But now my heart was changed, and I believed! I had been wrong – so wrong! I was guilty – so guilty! And I was ashamed – so ashamed! I wasn’t serving God, I was resisting God! I was a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and extremely violent! I broke the very Law of God that I so proudly claimed to keep, and I deserved the justice and the judgment of God. 

But, instead of judgment, I obtained mercy and grace from the One I had tried so hard to destroy! Peace flooded into my heart – no more anger, no more hate – because Jesus had set me free!

I Am Free!

Now I understand the freedom which came over all those “Christians” I persecuted! I too received complete forgiveness for my sins, even for the crimes I committed against Jesus and His church!  I too could now live with complete freedom to serve the One who died for me! Jesus did take away my shame! Jesus did change my name – and I became known as Paul! For the next several years, in both Arabia and in Damascus, my knowledge and my love for Jesus grew! Any passion and power I had, I realized came from Jesus and belonged to Him!

I began telling others about Jesus, right there in Damascus! And both Christians and Jews alike were shocked to hear the change in my message and to see the change in my life! At first, the Christians were apprehensive, but the Jews were angry! They wanted to arrest and kill me! But none of these things moved me! I kept sharing with others the wonderful works of God! Jesus Christ gave me a new heart – His heart; He gave me a new life – His life; He gave me a new family – His family; and He gave me a new purpose – His purpose! All I needed, I found in Jesus! Now in Jesus, I am complete!

Complete In Thee!

Although I dearly love my own people, the lost sheep of Israel, Jesus gave me a special mission – to preach the gospel to the Gentile nations! So I endeavored to preach the gospel in new places, and not where Christ was named! And this mission brought many new adventures into my life – exciting, but dangerous adventures! But I do not count my life dear unto myself! God granted me His strength to travel mile after mile, from city to city, on land and through the sea, all throughout Israel and Asia, Macedonia, and Greece, and even now to Rome!

I discovered that the Word of God is not bound! God saved countless people, wherever His Gospel was preached! Churches were started, leaders were appointed, and Christians grew in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! Oh yes, there were many challenges along the way! My flesh had no rest! I was troubled on every side! Without were fightings, and within were fears! But I was extremely glad to spend and be spent for my Lord Jesus Christ because of His relentless love for me!

Relentless Love (Verses 3-4)

Not everyone has been happy about the life-changing message of the Gospel! Many Jews believe it is blasphemy, as I once did! Many Greeks think it is foolishness and beneath them! Many Romans consider it treason to speak of Jesus as Lord! And even some, who call themselves Christians, are ashamed of the Gospel! But I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth!

Have you met Jesus? Has your heart been set free? Are you trusting in His Gospel? Jesus Christ alone can save you! He alone can forgive you! He alone will change and strengthen you! And He will always be with you! He will never leave you nor forsake you, no matter where He sends you!

He chose me, not only to believe in Jesus, but also to suffer for His sake, and to even bear His name before kings! So, in chains, God finally brought me to the great city of Rome! I am now a prisoner of Jesus Christ! And although I often long to see my friends and fellow-laborers, I know that I am not alone! For the same Jesus, who met me on the road to Damascus, has never left me! And my heart has been free ever since! And until the day I finish my course, through the power of the living Christ, I will press on!

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,  Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God!” (Hebrews 12:1-2)

Press On!
© 2015 by Grace Baptist Church of Greenfield, Indiana

Permission For Use: If your church would like to use this script, you may do so, but we would love to hear from you if you plan to. Please let us know by email: [email protected].

We would also encourage you to obtain and use the suggested music incorporated into the script, which has been specifically selected for its setting.  All of the music is available either for free or for a very reasonable cost. Some of the music is alternatively available in a hymn format, which may be more suitable for a small choir (like ours). Links to the music and their publishers have been provided.

A special thanks to the following publishers, for their permission to record and distribute their music. For these and much more excellent, Christ-honoring music, be sure to visit them online:

"Epilogo" by Daniel Zedda; CC BY 2.0