What did Saul realize when Jesus confronted him on the Damascus road?
Saul realized that the One he was trying to stamp out was the same One he worshipped, and that Jesus Himself was confronting him: 'I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.' He saw he was kicking against the goads, fighting a losing battle, and that God's grace saved him there on the spot.
Les explains that Saul suddenly realized the one he was trying to stamp out was the same one he worshipped—a tremendous revelation. When Saul asked, 'Who art thou, Lord?' the Lord answered, 'I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.' Les says it was hard for Saul to kick against the pricks or goads, because every time he persecuted, he ended up hurting himself; he was totally fighting a losing battle. God's grace saved him there on the spot, and the first thing God did was strike him blind. Les also notes that God chooses the lowly and brings the high down, as with Moses.