The Calling of Ananias

Scripture reading: Acts 9:10-16.

Hallelujah. This morning, let us continue on to Acts 9:10-16

Acts 9:10–16 ESV

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.”

Based on this passage, I’d like to share a message with the title, “The Calling of Ananias”.

At this point in Acts, God is raising up the mightiest soldier for the cause of Christ, the Apostle Paul. Christ has appeared to him in a vision, and has called upon him. And now Saul is blinded and praying in a house in Damascus city.

God then calls upon Ananias, a disciple in Damascus, and sends him to pray for Saul.

We have here two very different people, two very different callings, but the same God who calls them.

Now, notice three things about the calling of Ananias.

First, God calls Ananias by name. It’s a personal calling. He doesn’t want anyone else for the job. He wants Ananias. Why? Because He’s got plans specific to Ananias. That’s what it means for God to be sovereign over all things. He knows all things and all people.

Second, when God calls Ananias, God says to go immediately. He doesn’t say to go in a few days. He doesn’t say brush up on your praying skills or your evangelism skills. He says “Rise and go.” And Ananias rises and goes at once. No delay, no hesitation. He’s made himself completely available for the Lord’s use. Whatever plans he may have had, he cancels them immediately. For the Lord has called upon him.

Third, God calls upon Ananias once, and, as it seems, once only. Ananias comes forward at a critical point in Saul’s life, and is never heard of again. On the other hand, God uses the Apostle Paul in many great ways.

Now, Ananias had to overcome some challenges to obey his calling.

First, he had to overcome his human fears. Saul was a dangerous guy who had done dangerous things. He was a predator, and Christians his prey. By going to Saul, Ananias was risking his life, the life of his family, the life of his children if he had any. If he was the sole breadwinner, he put his entire family at risk of poverty. Still he obeyed.

Second, he had to overcome his human heart. Ananias demonstrates what it’s like to love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. Jonah couldn’t do this. When God called the prophet Jonah to proclaim repentance to Nineveh, the capital of Assyria, Jonah ran in the opposite direction. Why? Because they were his enemies. Ananias is like the Jonah of the New Testament. He has to overcome this same hurdle. But while Jonah was in the Old Testament, Ananias knows the truth about Jesus, that while we were enemies of God, Christ died for us and reconciled us to God (Rom. 5:10). And so Ananias could obey this calling.

Third, he had to overcome his own human thoughts and trust in the wisdom of God. Ananias had his doubts about Paul, and he told them to God. But he submitted to the will of God did as was commanded. Ananias truly believed that the ways of the Lord are higher than our ways, His thoughts higher than our thoughts. That leads to obedience.

Finally, he had to overcome his own pride. The Lord told Ananias that He had chosen Saul as His divine instrument, to bring the Gospel to the Gentiles and kings, and even to the children of Israel. A lesser man might have thought, “Lord, why him? Why not me? I didn’t persecute anyone. I’m more devout than others. Why not me?” But Ananias didn’t think such things. He had overcome his own pride. Ananias understood that it is entirely up to Him how He desires to use us. He may call upon us every day, every week, or even once in our lifetime. It is entirely up to Him.

In conclusion, Ananias is like the wooden cork of an expensive wine. It’s only there to serve its duty, and then it’s cast aside. But it’s completely necessary. It has a role to play.

See, no one really thinks of Ananias. He even shares the same name with the Ananias who lied and dropped dead in Acts 5. But Ananias’ obedience played a big part in turning Saul into the Apostle Paul. And what did Paul accomplish for the kingdom?

He completed three major missionary journeys across the Roman Empire, and took the gospel into the Gentile world.

He planted churches in major cities such as Philippi, Thessalonica, Corinth, Ephesus, Galatia, and many more. These became the hubs of the Christian faith.

He wrote about thirteen letters that expounded on the depths of the Christian faith, and applies the deepest theology into the practical situations of the church. His letters became part of Holy Scripture, and in total, they account for almost a quarter of the New Testament.

We can count the number of seeds in an apple, but only God can count the number of apples in a seed. God might decide to do amazing things through our obedience, we don’t know. But what we do know is that we’ve been called to love one another, love those who hate us, and pray for those who persecute us.

The calling of Ananias is the calling to obey, to love, to forgive, to be available, and to be expendable. That’s Christ, is it not? It is the calling to be Christ to the world. And we too have that same calling.

When God called Ananias, how did Ananias respond? ἰδοὺ ἐγώ, κύριε. “Behold me, Lord.” Here I am, Lord.

Can we make this our prayer this morning?

Lord, behold me. Lord, here I am. Lord, use me. I make myself available to You. Lord, show me where I can be obedient to You. Show me where I’m lacking in obedience, and show me what goodness might flows from my obedience.

And if anyone has offended you or caused you suffering, let us try forgiving them and even praying for them this morning. And let us see what God will do.