March 29, 2023 | Be On Mission
Ananias Ministers to Saul
Scripture: Acts 9:10-25 (NIV)
10 In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!”
“Yes, Lord,” he answered.
11 The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.”
13 “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. 14 And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.”
15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”
17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, 19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength.
Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus. 20 At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. 21 All those who heard him were astonished and asked, “Isn’t he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name? And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?” 22 Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah.
23 After many days had gone by, there was a conspiracy among the Jews to kill him, 24 but Saul learned of their plan. Day and night they kept close watch on the city gates in order to kill him. 25 But his followers took him by night and lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall.
Devotional
One of the people that Saul was heading to Damascus to arrest was a believer named Ananias. Had Jesus not intervened, Ananias would have likely been arrested, chained and embarking on a long 150 mile walk to Jerusalem. But God had other plans.
Ananias knew about the devastation Saul had wreaked on the believers in Jerusalem and was intending on the believers in Damascus. It is understandable that he would be reluctant to reach out a hand to this enemy of the faith. But there is something irresistible about the call of God. The Lord shocked Ananias by telling him that he would go from being Saul, the chief persecutor of Christians, to Paul, the leading proclaimer of Christianity to both Jews and Gentiles. And that he did!
Read verses 17-25 again. What things does Saul experience that had to turn his world upside down? What is surprising? What is convicting for your own faith?
Too often people block themselves from the call of God in their lives for various reasons. They are too young (see 1 Timothy 4:12). They are too old (see Exodus 7:7). They are too sinful (see Isaiah 6:5-8). They are too hateful (see today’s reading). An old saying says that God doesn’t call the qualified; He qualifies the called. You don’t have to be the perfect person to be used by God. You simply have to know the perfect One.
Take some time right now and ask the Lord how He sees you. Be still and allow the Holy Spirit to give you words or images or thoughts that tell you His view of you.
Who is He calling you to be? What is He calling you to do? Saul took action steps right away when he received his new identity in Christ. What action steps are you going to take?
Prayer
God, I relate to Ananias in today’s Scripture; I also call myself a believer. But, sometimes during my quiet time, I hear Your voice telling me to serve that day and yet I make excuses like “how can I do that: talk to that person again about You: visit that nursing home: on and on.” Forgive me. Help me obediently depend on the Holy Spirit as Ananias did when he went to blind Saul to bring healing. Holy Spirit, empower and guide me to touch others so they will see the light of Jesus. May their hearts be softened to respond to You, Risen Lord, this Lenten Season. In Jesus’ powerful name I pray. Amen.
Poem
Ananais Prayer: I Hear Your Word
Standing here
I worship You
With hands held high in praise
I hear Your Word
I know Your call
Instruction is conveyed
Listening here
I hear the plight
Of enemy now blinded
I hear Your Word
I know Your call
Instruction You’ve reminded
Kneeling here
I servant am
To this your new apostle
I hear Your Word
I know Your call
Instruction in Your gospel
Standing here
I send him on
With commendation letter
I hear Your Word
I know Your call
Released from Sin’s strong fetter
