“In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, ‘Ananias!’

“‘Yes, Lord,’ he answered.

“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. In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.’

“‘Lord,’ Ananias answered, ‘I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.’

“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. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.’

“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.’ Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength.” -Acts 9:10-19, NIV

Saul’s Transformation

There are so many glorious miracles in this story. Can you read between the lines and see Jesus counseling Saul’s heart as he fasted in silence? He was preparing Saul for his own third-day resurrection. I see the beautiful parallel between what happened on the third day with Jesus for all of mankind—the day death was defeated and the new covenant was fully established—and Saul’s three-day burial. Today was resurrection day for Saul! The enemy thought he had Saul, but Jesus claimed Saul’s life for His glory and for the gospel. There’s just nothing like the miracle of salvation—buried, resurrected, and ascended in Christ. Saul went from death to life on this day, and the obedience of one ordinary man made all the difference!

Ananias’s Faithful Obedience

Ananias was just a disciple—nothing extraordinary about him. We don’t know where he came from, how he got to Damascus, why the Lord chose him, or where he went afterward. But he was willing to be obedient to the vision and directives Jesus gave him. Was he hesitant and apprehensive? Yes. But he obeyed anyway. Much was at stake, and the Lord knew the heart of Ananias; it was bent on the beautiful response of submission and obedience. When God spoke, he answered. When God said to go, he went.

“We shouldn’t be surprised if people like Saul receive God’s Word with initial resistance and questioning. Yet we should expect disciples of Jesus to receive God’s Word like Ananias did.

“In the case of Ananias, the vision from God was specific. God told him about:

• A specific street (the street called Straight).
• A specific house (the house of Judas).
• A specific man (one called Saul of Tarsus).
• A specific thing the man was doing (he is praying).
• A specific vision the man had (in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias).

“This specificity was necessary and important, because God asked Ananias to do something bold and dangerous in meeting Saul, the great persecutor. He needed confirmation along the way that God was guiding him, and God gave him ways to confirm this.” -David Guzik

God’s Plan for Saul

The Lord was clearly speaking to Ananias about God’s identity and destiny of Saul:

• He was a chosen vessel. God’s calling was irrevocable. He was chosen before the foundation of the world. He would shape and sanctify Saul for the sake of the gospel.
• He would bear the name of Jesus. Once blind, broken, and silenced, he would speak, write, teach, and bear the sufferings of Jesus in and through his life and body.
• He would proclaim Jesus to the Gentiles. The gospel now moves from this moment on from the Jews to the Gentiles.
• He would suffer for Jesus. His life of perfection and pride would be crucified for a life of humility (Philippians 1). A higher calling would require deep suffering.

Ananias came to this blind brother and laid his hands on him, communicating the love of God to a man deemed worthy of a different response based on all he had done to fellow believers. The power of the Holy Spirit in Ananias allowed him to not only be an overcomer but to lovingly reach to Saul out of grace and mercy. Ananias’s touch and voice were conduits of Paul’s resurrection that day! Here comes the Holy Spirit to overtake Saul and fill him to all the fullness of Christ. What a miracle! And in that minute, Saul is healed of both physical and spiritual blindness. Saul got up and was baptized, a symbol of being buried with Christ and raised to newness of life!

Saul was now a part of the Way, a follower of Jesus, a disciple, and the destiny God had for him was now unlocked—all because one man stepped into obedience, took a risk, and ministered to a lost man. The Church also had an opportunity to overcome and embrace Saul. Only the Spirit of God had done the scope of this miraculous work!

Look at what Paul will pen about this moment:

“… although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. … However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life. -1 Timothy 1:13, 16

Truths for Today’s Church

What are the parallel truths for us today?

• The miracle of salvation is a work the Spirit of God does in us. We respond and receive. The pursuit of our lives is His idea and His initiation.
• No one is outside of the realm of possibility for salvation. Even the hardest heart can be arrested in the presence of Jesus!
• He uses ordinary disciples who have ears to hear and a heart to respond to His courageous call.
• God uses us to help bring others to salvation to Jesus. I wonder if Ananias recounted this day as one of the most profound and important days of his life.
• God uses our frailty, failings, and brokenness as an opportunity to reveal His love and fill us with Himself.

In honor of Ananias’s bold action and faithfulness, I want to close with a quote from Nik Ripken’s book, “The Insanity of Sacrifice”:

“Safety is not one of God’s core values. And it is not a core value for God’s people either. Mirroring the character of God, God’s people value faithfulness and obedience. And we consider it a holy privilege to do exactly what God has called us to do … even if it is not safe.”

A Few Key Notes

• Join me and Alexandria Watkins for a four-week book study on “Living in the Daze of Deception” by Jack Hibbs. This book explores the many ways error is masquerading as truth and how you can discern the difference. We will meet at 7 p.m. on Thursdays beginning September 12 in the Castle Hills neighborhood in Lewisville. (I’ll send the exact address after you RSVP.) This study is free, but you will need to purchase your own book. RSVP by emailing me at [email protected].
• Join us on October 12 as we launch our Spanish Arise chapter, Levántate! We will enjoy brunch as our Spanish chapter leader, Flora, shares the heart and vision of Levántate. Tickets are free, but space is limited! RSVP today!