Acts 9:1-20 (NRSV)
Read Acts 9:1-20 on biblegateway.com
Chapter 9Meanwhile Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest Verse 2and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any who belonged to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Verse 3Now as he was going along and approaching Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. Verse 4He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" Verse 5He asked, "Who are you, Lord?" The reply came, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. Verse 6But get up and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do." Verse 7The men who were traveling with him stood speechless because they heard the voice but saw no one. Verse 8Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; so they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. Verse 9For three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.
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, Verse 20and immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, "He is the Son of God."
Devotion
For Paul (formerly Saul), darkness came before light. A zealous persecutor of the earliest Christians, Saul must have believed his oppression of Jesus' followers was in line with God's wishes. An encounter with a bright light on the road to Damascus was a powerful corrective. Only in the darkness could Paul see the light. Only in blindness could Paul's eyes be opened. The risen Jesus takes Saul's sight momentarily, but the Lord calls on Ananias to deliver a word and touch of healing. Saul's reputation preceded him. Ananias had no interest in approaching this persecutor. Someone that Saul would have sought to persecute now comes to open his eyes anew, to help Saul receive the Holy Spirit. In this text, Saul's blindness is a punishment of sorts but, more importantly, an opportunity for new vision. Saul's eyes had to be closed for him to see the truth.