David Bahn – Reflections

Acts 9:13-16

But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem. 14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.” 15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. 16 For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.”

Many years ago, in a different church and different city and state I had the opportunity to visit a man in order to confront him in regard to a decision he was in the process of making. His wife had alerted me to this and asked that I come talk with him about it. So as I walked into their home, he declared, “I know what you’re here for, and there’s no way that you’re going to change my mind.” In that moment, I knew beyond a doubt that he would change his mind; he was going down. My approach was not to tell him what he could and couldn’t do, but to help him see some implications of his decision I am quite certain he was not aware of. Once that became clear to him, he changed his mind. It was a good Kingdom moment.

In the case of Saul, however, God had to pull out the big guns. It wasn’t a matter of overcoming bluster, it was a matter of changing the very course of Saul’s life. He was on his way to persecute Christians. He had letters to take people into custody. He was intent on putting down this new upstart g group of religious trouble-makers. But God had other plans.

God blinded Saul, threw him to the ground, and told him in no uncertain terms: he was hurting himself, and worse yet, he was persecuting Christ himself. Saul thought he was defending God. He had imagined that he was doing the work of God. He was intent on keeping the Kingdom of God strong by his actions. He was a force to contend with. But God was a larger force. And in this moment of confrontation God would change the life of Saul, and insure the growth of the Christian Church in places that only God could orchestrate. A former persecutor would become chief mission officer of the Early Church.

The conversion of Saul was one necessary part of this plan. But there were other parts to this plan that would need to unfold, and that’s where Ananias comes into the picture. He knew Saul. He knew his reputation. He knew he was dangerous. He had no clue that God would use this man for his purposes to further the cause of Jesus. But such was the plan, and the next work of God would have to be in Ananias’ heart if that plan was to move forward.

In the end Ananias agrees; he goes to Saul and prays for him to receive his sight. Saul is baptized. A new plan begins to unfold. It makes me wonder…who am I writing off as beyond the reach of God and unsuitable for fulfilling God’s purposes? How might I more fully embrace the mission of God by encouraging those who God chooses and changes? Am I willing to go to those to whom God calls me with grace and prayer?  What’s more, am I certain I’m on the right path when I get large and in charge, rather than seeking God’s guidance in life and ministry? I wonder if any others might need to ask these questions.

Acts 9:1-18

But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 3 Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. 4 And falling to the ground he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” 5 And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 6 But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” 7 The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. 8 Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened,he saw nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. 9 And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

10 Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said,“Here I am, Lord.” 11 And the Lord said to him, “Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying, 12 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.” 13 But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem. 14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.” 15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. 16 For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” 17 So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized; 19 and taking food, he was strengthened.