Ananias Didn't Run
Thu/20/Nov 2008
Luke records the conversion of the Apostle Paul three
times in the book of Acts. That alone gives us a
sense of how centrally important this event was to
the life of the early church.
The great persecutor became the great
proclaimer.
Only God could come up with something so monumental.
Often the forgotten part of this story is the
obedience shown by a man named Ananias. Luke records
his story in Acts 9.
Ananias and Saul could not have been more different in their attitude and view of life. Saul was well-known, powerful, and brash. Ananias was unknown to anyone who mattered. Their differences are further shown in how they responded to God’s call. Saul responds with “Who is it Lord?” While Ananias returns, “Here I am, Lord.” One gets the idea that Saul recognized the power of the voice, but did not recognize the person. Ananias also knew it was “the Lord” speaking, but was familiar with the voice. All of Saul’s intellect, rabbinical training, political connections, and religious zeal did not acquaint him to the risen Jesus. He was a complete stranger. Ananias on the other hand was comfortable in the presence of Christ. He knew him. One has to wonder what kind of a conversion experience Ananias had encountered.
There is another aspect of this story that tells us about the character and faith of this unknown follower of “the Way.” The simple fact that he was in Damascus tells us he was authentic. Word had spread that Saul was wreaking havoc among the christians in Jerusalem, and now he’s taking his persecution show on the road. He’s received hand written authority from “the powers that be” to arrest any man or woman who is found to be worshipping Jesus. I don’t think it is a stretch to assume that most Jesus followers packed a suitcase and got out of Dodge when that news hit the synagogue. It is what most of us would do. It was the sensible thing to do. But when God needed someone to go to Saul and proclaim his message, He found Ananias in his place, in Damascus.
This is not to say that Ananias didn’t have his reservations. He does his best Moses impersonation as he offers some reasons why he shouldn’t go to see Saul, but God had none of them. So, Ananias left his place of comfort and security, and took a trip to Straight Street. He didn’t do this because he thought it would bring him joy. He didn’t go because he knew God would “give him a blessing.” He went because he had completely abandoned himself to God. He was no longer in charge of his life. When he called Jesus “Lord,” he meant it. Regardless of the circumstances, this was his rule of life. I can’t help but wonder what was going through his mind when he walked up to the entrance of where Saul was staying. Likely, he was thinking of Stephen, the one Saul had watched die because of his devotion to Jesus. He may have been questioning the wisdom of what he was about to do. Nonetheless, he knocked on the door, and in doing so, changed the course of the world forever.
Following Jesus will take you places you never thought you would go, and often places you do not want to go. Yet, we never know how our simple obedience to the voice of Jesus will be used to transform others. Following Jesus is an exercise in throwing caution to the wind and saying, “Here I am, Lord.”
Ananias and Saul could not have been more different in their attitude and view of life. Saul was well-known, powerful, and brash. Ananias was unknown to anyone who mattered. Their differences are further shown in how they responded to God’s call. Saul responds with “Who is it Lord?” While Ananias returns, “Here I am, Lord.” One gets the idea that Saul recognized the power of the voice, but did not recognize the person. Ananias also knew it was “the Lord” speaking, but was familiar with the voice. All of Saul’s intellect, rabbinical training, political connections, and religious zeal did not acquaint him to the risen Jesus. He was a complete stranger. Ananias on the other hand was comfortable in the presence of Christ. He knew him. One has to wonder what kind of a conversion experience Ananias had encountered.
There is another aspect of this story that tells us about the character and faith of this unknown follower of “the Way.” The simple fact that he was in Damascus tells us he was authentic. Word had spread that Saul was wreaking havoc among the christians in Jerusalem, and now he’s taking his persecution show on the road. He’s received hand written authority from “the powers that be” to arrest any man or woman who is found to be worshipping Jesus. I don’t think it is a stretch to assume that most Jesus followers packed a suitcase and got out of Dodge when that news hit the synagogue. It is what most of us would do. It was the sensible thing to do. But when God needed someone to go to Saul and proclaim his message, He found Ananias in his place, in Damascus.
This is not to say that Ananias didn’t have his reservations. He does his best Moses impersonation as he offers some reasons why he shouldn’t go to see Saul, but God had none of them. So, Ananias left his place of comfort and security, and took a trip to Straight Street. He didn’t do this because he thought it would bring him joy. He didn’t go because he knew God would “give him a blessing.” He went because he had completely abandoned himself to God. He was no longer in charge of his life. When he called Jesus “Lord,” he meant it. Regardless of the circumstances, this was his rule of life. I can’t help but wonder what was going through his mind when he walked up to the entrance of where Saul was staying. Likely, he was thinking of Stephen, the one Saul had watched die because of his devotion to Jesus. He may have been questioning the wisdom of what he was about to do. Nonetheless, he knocked on the door, and in doing so, changed the course of the world forever.
Following Jesus will take you places you never thought you would go, and often places you do not want to go. Yet, we never know how our simple obedience to the voice of Jesus will be used to transform others. Following Jesus is an exercise in throwing caution to the wind and saying, “Here I am, Lord.”
