The Life of Jesus — Episode 33: “The Road to Damascus”

Fox Audio Network | February 15, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode centers on Paul’s transformative encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus—a turning point that echoes throughout the New Testament. Focusing on Paul’s message to the Romans (Romans 11-16), the episode weaves together scripture narrative and actor portrayals, offering listeners a powerful meditation on mercy, transformation, unity, and living counter-culturally as followers of Christ. The themes of grace, renewal, and unwavering devotion run throughout, rooting listeners in Paul’s teachings about Christian identity in a challenging world.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introduction to Paul’s Ministry and Letter to the Romans

• [00:15] Ainsley Earhardt introduces the episode and frames Paul’s letter as written over 20 years after his encounter with Christ.
  • Paul’s devotion arose from his personal encounter; this is foundational for understanding his ministry.
  • “Jesus had already returned to heaven at that time, but he appeared to Paul and introduced Himself.” — (Earhardt, 00:26)
  • Paul’s character: single-minded focus, praise, positivity, and unwavering evangelism.

2. Mercy, Inclusion, and the Mystery of Salvation

• [01:21 – 04:00] Romans 11 reading — Themes of God’s mercy and the inclusion of both Jews and Gentiles.
  • “For God has consigned all men to disobedience, that he may have mercy upon all.” — (Paul, 02:38)
  • The concept of the “hardened” part of Israel and the ultimate reconciliation of all who believe.

3. Transformation and Conduct of Believers

• [04:00 – 07:00] Romans 12 — The call to become “living sacrifices” and not conform to the world.
  • “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may prove what is the will of God...” — (Paul, 04:33)
  • Humility, diversity of spiritual gifts, and mutual support in the body of Christ.
  • Exhortations to genuine love, perseverance, hospitality, and blessing those who persecute.

4. Submitting to Authority & Loving Your Neighbor

• [07:00 – 10:00] Romans 13 — On obedience to governing authorities as divinely appointed and the primacy of love.
  • “Owe no one anything, except to love one another. For he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.” — (Paul, 09:35)
  • The law summed up: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

5. Unity Amid Differences in Practice

• [10:00 – 14:00] Romans 14 & 15 — On differences over dietary practices and observance of special days, Paul urges tolerance and acceptance.
  • “Let not him who eats despise him who abstains, and let not him who abstains pass judgment on him who eats, for God has welcomed him.” — (Paul, 11:07)
  • “Let us then pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.” — (Paul, 12:53)
  • The core: personal faith, not passing judgment, and focusing on righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.

6. The Mission to the Gentiles

• [14:00 – 18:00] — Paul’s calling as the “minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles,” expressing his ambition to preach where Christ’s name is unknown.
  • Emphasis on unity between Jewish and Gentile believers.
  • “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” — (Paul, 15:57)

7. Personal Greetings & Instructions

• [18:00 – 22:00] Romans 16 — Paul’s multitude of personal greetings to fellow believers and encouragement to avoid divisiveness.
  • “I appeal to you, brethren, to take note of those who create dissensions and difficulties in opposition to the doctrine which you have been taught. Avoid them.” — (Paul, 20:13)
  • A sense of the early Christian community’s warmth and solidarity.
  • Explicit warnings against those who “deceive the hearts of the simple minded.” (20:34)

8. Conclusion and Doxology

• [22:00 – 23:55] — Final greetings and doxology.
  • “To the only wise God, be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ. Amen.” — (Paul, 22:44)

9. Reflection on Nonconformity and Christian Identity

• [23:55 – 25:10] Emily Compagno—Contemporary reflection on Paul’s teaching about not being “conformed to this world.”
  • “How difficult is it for those who belong to Christ to try to fit into this world, a world to which we simply do not belong?” — (Compagno, 24:07)
  • The inward transformation and Christ-centered identity as essential for perseverance.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Paul on Mercy and Inclusion:
  • “For God has consigned all men to disobedience, that he may have mercy upon all.” (02:38)
• Paul on Transformation:
  • “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind...” (04:33)
• Paul on Love:
  • “Owe no one anything, except to love one another. For he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.” (09:35)
  • “Love does no wrong to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.” (09:48)
• Paul on Personal Faith:
  • “Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to edify him. For Christ did not please himself...” (13:46)
• Emily Compagno’s Reflection:
  • “Our identities should be found in Christ, not in anything of this world.” (24:30)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:15 — Introduction and framing the Road to Damascus
• 01:21 — Reading from Romans, establishing context
• 04:33 — “Do not be conformed to this world...”
• 09:35 — “Owe no one anything, except to love one another...”
• 11:07 — Acceptance within differences in faith practices
• 15:57 — “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace...”
• 20:13 — Warning against divisiveness
• 22:44 — Doxology, “To the only wise God, be glory...”
• 23:55 — Reflection on Christian identity and living counter-culturally

Summary

Episode 33 of “The Life of Jesus” plunges the listener into the heart and message of Paul, whose life was forever changed by his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus. Through powerful scripture reading and carefully crafted reflection, the episode underscores key New Testament truths: mercy is available to all, believers are called to transformed lives, unity and love are the foundation of Christian community, and difference—where anchored in faith—should be met with acceptance, not judgment.

Paul’s teachings, as rendered here, reach across time to challenge listeners not to conform to the shifting standards of culture, but to find their truest identity in Christ. Emily Compagno’s concluding reflection makes this message especially resonant for audiences today, connecting ancient wisdom to the struggles and hope of modern faith.

Listeners come away with a renewal of hope, practical instruction on unity and love, and a call to unflinching courage in living out the Christian life—just as Paul once did, walking a new road from Damascus.