Scripture:
Acts 9
4 … “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.”
8 Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. So they led him by the hand …
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…
13 But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done …
15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine … to carry my name …”
Observation:
Saul was in his famous road to continue his quest to stomp out Christianity.
Jesus stopped him and gave him instructions.
Saul followed the instructions even though he couldn’t see.
Jesus then appeared to the disciple, Ananias.
Jesus told Ananias to go see Saul.
Ananias initially questioned Jesus about this, but then followed His instruction when Jesus said, “Go …”
Application:
The initial reactions of Saul and Ananias stand out here.
Saul, a nonbeliever responds to Jesus with, “Who are you, Lord?”
Ananias, the disciple, responds to Jesus with, “Here I am, Lord.”
The reaction of Saul and Ananias to Jesus’ response also stand out.
Saul, who could not even see, allowed himself to be lead to where Jesus told him to go.
Ananias, though, allowed the reputation of Saul to give pause in his response to where Jesus told him to go.
So, the non believer, who is still figuring out who Jesus is, responds immediately..
The believer questions Jesus’ instructions.
I need to be careful that the longer I am a follower of Jesus, I don’t become more confident in my own thinking than that of Jesus.
I can think I have people and plans and purposes figured out.
Jesus can change plans and people in a flash, though.
The purposes of Jesus do not change though … “carry my name”.
I can not put anyone outside of the grace of God or the use of God to do that.
And I need to be responsive to what Jesus tells me to do.
Jesus has grace for me too, though.
Jesus can handle my questions and my doubts.
But I need to handle his explanations, even if I don’t like or understand them.
When Jesus says, “Rise and go”, I need to, “Rise and go.”
Prayer:
Thank you God for your word
Thank you for these people who teach how to respond to you
Help me Holy Spirit to hear your voice and respond
I’m Jesus name
Amen