Read Acts 9:10-19
10 In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!” “Yes, Lord,” he answered. 11 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. 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.” 13 “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your people in Jerusalem. 14 And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.” 15 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. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” 17 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.” 18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, 19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength.
If, at some point in your life, you have made a decision to follow Christ, where on the scale below would you put yourself?
Any thoughts?
Did Jesus call Saul against his will?
Or could it be that, as a theologian called Mallone has argued, Saul’s fervent attacks against the Christians were to hide from others – and most of all himself – his secret doubts.[1] He must have heard of Jesus’ exemplary life. Further, as we learn later on in his letters, he seems to have had a growing sense that pre-Jesus Judaism was not working for him as he had perhaps hoped. He had seen the bold faithfulness of the Christians in general and, in particular, heard Stephen’s incredible speech and witnessed his faith-filled death.[2] Was there not at least a part of him that had begun to wonder if the objects of his fury might be right after all?
If you have a bit longer :-)
- How do you think Ananias felt when God told him to go and see Saul? What do you think would have happened if he had decided not to go?
- Is there anything in your life at the moment that you think God is calling you to do but which frightens you? What is it and why do you feel afraid? What are some of the ways we can helpfully deal with fear? How can we best support one another in this?
- I recently saw the following on fb and thought I’d pass it on! Do you find any encouragement in this? Who can you relate to the most?
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