Ananias - The One God Sent

Submission and obedience are not popular words these days. More and more it seems that people have a “no one’s gonna tell me what to do” attitude. As disciples of Jesus Christ, however, we are committed to submitting to Him as our Lord and obeying His commands. When the command is easy or something I want to do, obedience is easy. I won’t argue if I’m commanded to take the afternoon off and nap or watch a favorite movie.

The reality is that God may ask us to do things which are not easy or which go against our natural inclinations. At times God’s directions will make no sense to us. The question we must answer is whether we are willing to follow God’s leading no matter what. The reading for today gives us an example of a disciple who was willing to do just that.

Acts 9:10–19 NIV84

In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!” “Yes, Lord,” he answered. 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. In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.” “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem. And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.” But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” 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.” Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength. Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus.

The disciple

Ananias

Disciple

Devout observer of the law and highly respected by all the Jews living there (Acts 22:12)

The task

Go to Saul

Gave specific directions

Had prepared Saul for Ananias’ cominggo to the Gentiles

Told Ananias the reason – God has chosen Saul to

Lay hands on and pray

The challenge

Saul has been persecuting Jesus’ disciples

Saul had come to Damascus in order to arrest disciples – this would include Ananias

The response

Ananias obeyed

There are many reasons why we may obey someone, including God. What are yours?

Fear? Obeying because you have to?

Reward? Obeying because you get something out of it?

Love? Obeying because you love Christ and your fellowman?

Trusted God

Romans 1:5 NIV84

Through him and for his name’s sake, we received grace and apostleship to call people from among all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith.

Greeted Saul as a brother

The result

Saul received his sight

Saul was baptized

Became the apostle to the Gentiles

Our challenge

Jesus could have appeared to Saul again and restored his sight, could have sent an angel, but God chooses to work through us. We may not have a vision as Ananias did, but God does have a purpose for each of us, we are called to carry out God’s mission for us, whatever it may be.

How can we know what God wants us to do?

Scripture

Holy Spirit – dreams, visions, inner conviction

Circumstances

Other people

A couple years ago my doctor told me I was pre-diabetic and needed to lose weight. I had to be more careful of what I ate and get more exercise. The doctor was not saying this to punish me but to help me. These were not what I wanted to do, but I didn’t want diabetes even more. With time and perseverance I lost the weight although keeping it off is still a challenge. Obedience is not a one time act but a lifestyle decision.

Even more than my doctor, God’s commands are for my own welfare and for the work of His kingdom. How much ore should I be wanting to obey?

God will guide us if we are willing to listen and obey.

We are called to follow Jesus’ example

Philippians 2:8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross!