Why did the revelation 'I am Jesus' shatter Paul on the Damascus road?
Because Paul realized the One speaking was Jehovah, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, yet He identified Himself as Jesus of Nazareth—the very one Paul hated, rejected as an imposter, and considered a blasphemer. That identification overturned his understanding, melted him like wax, and left him physically blinded to see spiritually who Jesus really was.
Les explains that Paul knew he was talking to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, Jehovah. When Jehovah answered, “I am Jesus,” it shattered Paul because Jesus of Nazareth was the one he hated and detested, thought was an imposter, and considered a blasphemer. Les says this melted him like wax; he fell to the ground, blinded physically in order to see spiritually who Jesus really was—the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Les also connects this to the burning bush and John’s Gospel, where Jesus said, “Before Abraham was, I am,” showing He is the Jehovah of the Old Testament.