Acts 9:1-6, (7-20) (NRSV)
Read Acts 9:1-6, (7-20) 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
It is said that change is inevitable; in fact without change we stagnate and die. Here in Luke’s story of the conversion of Saul we learn of two life-changing events. The first, of course, is Saul, struck blind, halted in his tracks by Jesus, with the life changing question of “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” Saul was, of course, on his way to persecute the followers of Jesus and this encounter changed everything for him. The second life-changing event happened to Ananias, who at Jesus’ command suddenly had to change his thinking about Saul, a man known to be a persecutor of Jesus’ followers. This was a serious change for both men. In this story we are reminded to think about how we too might need to change our thinking and treatment of others. What does Jesus want us to do? How are we to change and grow?
Prayer
Lord, help us to see how we are to change and grow. Give us the courage to do your will. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
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