Acts 9:10-19 (NRSV)
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Verse 10Now there was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, "Ananias." He answered, "Here I am, Lord." Verse 11The Lord said to him, "Get up and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul. At this moment he is praying, Verse 12and 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." Verse 13But Ananias answered, "Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints in Jerusalem; Verse 14and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who invoke your name." Verse 15But the Lord said to him, "Go, for he is an instrument whom I have chosen to bring my name before Gentiles and kings and before the people of Israel; Verse 16I myself will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name." Verse 17So Ananias went and entered the house. He laid his hands on Saul and said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on your way here, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit." Verse 18And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and his sight was restored. Then he got up and was baptized, Verse 19and after taking some food, he regained his strength. For several days he was with the disciples in Damascus,
Devotion
Luke’s report of Ananias’ response to God when asked to go to Saul, the number one “saint slayer” in Jerusalem, seems pretty benign compared with what he could have said. “You’ve got to be kidding! Go where? To whom? Are you crazy?” For as many times as we see how unorthodox and irrational God’s methods are, don’t they surprise us every time? Yet Ananias eventually goes, finds Saul as God says, lays hand on him and as a conduit for the gentleness, love and Spirit of God, calls this once enemy, brother.
Prayer
Oh God, you’re kind of scary sometimes. But generally we like the way your surprises turn out. Please fill us with the courage and Spirit to do the things you ask. Amen.