“Now devote your heart and soul to seeking the Lord your God.”
(1 Chronicles 22:19 NIV)
In Acts 9 we read of a rather remarkable turnaround story. A Pharisee named Saul was persecuting and “breathing threats and murder” on those who believe Jesus is the Messiah – so much that he had authority to bring the believers “bound” to Jerusalem. By the end of the chapter Saul had been renamed Paul and was preaching Christ in the synagogues. A radical transformation, I’d say.
But would that transformation have been able to happen without a man named Ananias?
Acts 9:10-18 (NIV) says, “Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.””
Let’s pause there. The description of Ananias was that he was a “certain disciple,” meaning he believed in Jesus as the Christ. But, evidently, he was more than just a passive or shallow believer; if he was someone who received a vision from the Lord, he was probably actively seeking God in prayer. And he wasn’t mentioned as someone with an official leadership role in this early Church – not a prophet or apostle or pastor or teacher. He was “just” a disciple. Yet, his heart to know, love, and serve God meant that he was spiritually ready to receive a vision God wanted to give him. He had enough of a relationship with God to be able to receive God’s somewhat strange instructions.
“So the Lord said to him, “Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying. And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight.”
Now, if I were Ananias, knowing the reputation of Saul of Tarsus for persecuting believers in The Way, I would be a bit nervous.
“Then Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.” But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.”
“And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized.“
God’s answer was that Saul was a “chosen vessel” to share the Good News. So, obedient to God, Ananias went to the house where Saul was staying and prayed for him. Much of the rest of the New Testament was written by Saul-who-became-Paul and his apostleship has been immensely impactful on the early Church and believers for centuries.
But why was Ananias ready to receive God’s vision and instructions? Why was he able to hear from God and do the strange (potentially deadly) task God wanted him to do?
Because he’d spent enough time with God so God could trust him to do such a thing.
Ananias had prayed, been in the Word, been in fellowship with other believers, and, evidently, had developed a rich and thriving, mature and obedient, relationship with God. So when God gave him a vision, he knew that it was God speaking. He knew how to listen to God. He knew how to respond to this assignment.
God gives assignments to those who are his disciples. What is yours?
Devoted God,
Thank you, God, for amazing stories like those of Ananias and Saul/Paul. Thank you for the reminder that no one is too far away from you – that anyone and everyone can repent of their sins and come into alignment with your will and way. Thank you for brave, average, disciples who do phenomenal work for your Kingdom every day, influencing their communities and furthering your Gospel. Thank you for your call on each of our lives to be disciples who go and make disciples. Help our hearts and souls to be devoted to seeking the Lord our God. Help us keep our spiritual eyes and ears open to what you are calling us to do in this day and hour. Help us to see our purposes and assignments you have given us and to move forward confidently in the callings you have for us. Guide us and guard us for the sake of your Kingdom. In Christ’s name we pray, Amen.
“Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20 NIV)