Acts 9:1-20 (NRSVUE)
Meanwhile Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any who belonged to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Now as he was going along and approaching Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” He asked, “Who are you, Lord?” The reply came, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But get up and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” The men who were traveling with him stood speechless because they heard the voice but saw no one. Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; so they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. For three days he was without sight and neither ate nor drank.
Now there was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” He answered, “Here I am, Lord.” The Lord said to him, “Get up and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul. At this moment he is praying, and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.” But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints in Jerusalem, and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who invoke your name.” But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is an instrument whom I have chosen to bring my name before gentiles and kings and before the people of Israel; I myself will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” So Ananias went and entered the house. He laid his hands on Saul and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on your way here, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and his sight was restored. Then he got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength.
For several days he was with the disciples in Damascus, and immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.”
Devotion
Saul, believing he is defending his faith, sets out to persecute Christians. God chose Saul and intervened in Saul’s path, striking Saul with blindness. Ananias (never mentioned in scriptures before), initially fearful, knowing Saul’s reputation and mission, obeys God’s call to find and heal Saul. Once healed, Saul becomes Paul, a proclaimer of Jesus. (The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance: that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the foremost. [1 Timothy 1:15, NRSVUE])
This passage highlights how God’s intervention can transform views. Both men, Saul and Ananias, had their apprehension and adversaries but were challenged and changed by God. Ananias is called to deepen his discipleship and Saul becomes an advocate for Jesus. The book of Acts refers to this significant transformation in chapters 9, 22, and 26, and it is also discussed in Galatians 1:13-14.
What does this mean for me, for us?
God choose ordinary people, ordinary, never-mentioned people like Ananias. Once you have had that true, deep, spiritual encounter with God, it produces a mission. God meets people on the road they are on, not the road they should have been on. Sometimes with clear instructions on the path to follow, like for Ananias, and sometimes just with guidelines of good behavior along the uncertain path. To venture out of our comfort zone and confront the uncomfortable is scary and creates fear. Courage is not an absence of fear; courage is when we persist and push through despite fear. Courage is a gift from the Holy Spirit. In our everyday lives, this passage challenges us to believe in the greatness of God and His ability to change hearts and redirect lives. It teaches us that no-one is beyond God’s reach. God’s love and grace is always there for everyone.
It also makes us ask the problematic and challenging questions about human behaviors, and the ability to change. It inspires me to try and reach more to others, even if it feels uncomfortable. It also reminds me that maybe your gentleness and kindness to another person may just make a difference in their life. We are all on a journey; for some it may be easy, for some it may be not so easy. Reaching out, offering a smile, an ear to listen, a shoulder to cry on, may make one feel uncomfortable sometimes, but sometimes putting one’s own uneasy feeling in the back-pocket, may just be the thing that changes a life.
Prayer
Dear God, You’re the one that meets us in our life journey, in the middle of confusion, resistance, trying to make our way. Thank you for interrupting us and reminding us about what really matters. Like Saul, there are many places in life where I am blind – help me to see things more clearly. Shine your light on my heart and point me in the right direction. Give me the humility to be led and the patience to wait when I cannot see. Lead us forward with new sight, new strength, and a new heart. In Jesus name we pray! Amen.
Anita Brinker