The Holy Spirit (through Ananias) called Saul to God’s mission
Daily Scripture
Acts 9:10-20, 22:12-16
Acts 9
10 In Damascus there was a certain disciple named Ananias. The Lord spoke to him in a vision, “Ananias!”
He answered, “Yes, Lord.”
11 The Lord instructed him, “Go to Judas’ house on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul. He is praying. 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias enter and put his hands on him to restore his sight.”
13 Ananias countered, “Lord, I have heard many reports about this man. People say he has done horrible things to your holy people in Jerusalem. 14 He’s here with authority from the chief priests to arrest everyone who calls on your name.”
15 The Lord replied, “Go! This man is the agent I have chosen to carry my name before Gentiles, kings, and Israelites. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.”
17 Ananias went to the house. He placed his hands on Saul and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord sent me—Jesus, who appeared to you on the way as you were coming here. He sent me so that you could see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Instantly, flakes fell from Saul’s eyes and he could see again. He got up and was baptized. 19 After eating, he regained his strength.
He stayed with the disciples in Damascus for several days. 20 Right away, he began to preach about Jesus in the synagogues. “He is God’s Son,” he declared.
Acts 22
12 “There was a certain man named Ananias. According to the standards of the Law, he was a pious man who enjoyed the respect of all the Jews living there. 13 He came and stood beside me. ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight!’ he said. Instantly, I regained my sight and I could see him. 14 He said, ‘The God of our ancestors has selected you to know his will, to see the righteous one, and to hear his voice. 15 You will be his witness to everyone concerning what you have seen and heard. 16 What are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized, and wash away your sins as you call on his name.’
Daily Reflection & Prayer
You’re probably familiar with the story of Saul’s encounter with Jesus, which changed him into the apostle Paul. (If not, you can read three versions of it in the book of Acts—Acts 9:1-9, Acts 22:1-16, Acts 26:12-20). Much less well-known was Ananias, a believer understandably nervous about meeting Saul. But God had big plans! The Holy Spirit worked in unexpected ways through an unexpected person, turning enemies into friends and equipping Saul for a world-changing mission.
- The Holy Spirit empowered Ananias to overcome his fear and obey God’s surprising call to help Saul. “Imagine the courage it must have taken for Ananias to confront Paul the inquisitor.” * Later, on trial, Paul remembered that Ananias was eager to get him baptized, despite his track record of violently opposing Christians. Has God ever called you to do something good that scared you and called for some courage? How did you respond, and what was the outcome?
- “We never again hear about Ananias in the Bible. He courageously stepped up, went to Paul, and shared Christ with him, and as a result the world was changed.” ** Have you ever struggled with a feeling that it’s kind of pointless to follow Jesus unless you get to play a prominent, “starring” role in God’s Kingdom work? How can remembering the impact of Ananias’ one brief moment “in the spotlight” encourage you to do whatever tasks God lays before you?
Prayer
Lord, if Ananias had said “no” to the Holy Spirit’s call, he would have missed the chance to be part of a historically great moment. Help me not to miss your call, or to fail to answer. Amen.
GPS Insights
Janelle Gregory
Janelle Gregory serves on the Resurrection staff as Human Resources Lead Director. Janelle finds that her heart is constantly wrestling with the truth that she needs a Savior, and the times when she's at her very best are when she's just too tired to put up a fight.
I was in fourth grade when our local community theater put on the musical Annie. During the tryouts, I auditioned for some roles of some of the orphans–Molly, Duffy, Tessie, Pepper. Any one of these would be great. After the tryouts, the director posted the cast list on the wall of the theater. I ran over to find my name. My finger ran down the paper, role by role, looking for my name. Molly, no. Duffy, no. Tessie, no. Pepper, no??? Huh. My finger went further and further down the cast list, until I finally found my name by Extra Orphan #4. Extra Orphan #4?!! I was severely disappointed. This was essentially a filler on stage in the orphanage scenes. My biggest contribution was handing Annie a broom for a choreographed section of “It’s a Hard Knock Life.” Whoop-dee-do. No big deal. But during a dress rehearsal, I forgot the broom. The poor girl who was playing Annie was left improvising her moves with an imaginary broom. Maybe Extra Orphan #4 was more important than I previously thought.
This takes me to today’s passage, Acts 9:10-20. God was in the midst of a major redemption work on Saul, perhaps the most influential individual (besides Jesus) in our faith’s history. Through this work, Saul would go on to become Paul, who wrote nearly half of the New Testament. But that redemption story involves a lesser-known person–Ananias. God spoke to Ananias through a vision: “Go to Judas’ house on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul. He is praying. In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias enter and put his hands on him to restore his sight.” Despite Ananias’ fear of approaching a Christian persecutor, he obeyed God and restored Saul’s sight. We don’t talk about Ananias much, but I think we’re to understand that God can and does use everyone for his goodness. You might be thinking that while we don’t talk about Ananias, at least he has a speaking part.
I’d even draw our attention to the one other character mentioned here. Not God. Not Saul. If we go back and read it again, we realize that Saul was staying at the house of Judas (a common name of the time). Judas doesn’t play a major role in the story. He has no speaking parts, but just as Ananias was there to lay his hands on Saul, Judas was there to welcome Saul in his home. God can work through each of us in both major and minor ways. Listening for God’s nudges is even something those of us without speaking parts can do.
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Scripture quotations are taken from The Common English Bible ©2011. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
References
* Hamilton, Adam, The Call: The Life and Message of the Apostle Paul (p. 27). Abingdon Press. Kindle Edition.
** Ibid., p. 28.
