Acts 9:15

Acts 9:15 - But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man (Saul) is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel.”

Ananias was a follower of Christ in Damascus. It is clear from his response to God that he knew who Saul was and why he had come to this city. There was only one reason Saul would travel there: to persecute Christians and throw them in jail. Saul was one of the biggest opposers of the Way of Christ and was causing much grief for the believers. He had been traveling to every town he could to imprison and kill Christians and now he was in Damascus.

After all this, Jesus was telling Ananias to go and see Saul. Ananias first response shows us that he does not want to chance this. He basically says, “Are you sure Lord. This man has done great harm to your saints in Jerusalem and now he wants to do the same here.” But the Lord reassured him and said, “Go.” Jesus then goes on to explain that He has chosen Saul to preach the gospel to the Gentiles and the Jews. Ananias obeys and goes to see Saul.

As we look forward into Saul’s story we see that after changing his name to Paul, he boldly proclaimed the name of Jesus to all the known world. He walked in the power and authority of Jesus and ended up writing most of what we call the New Testament. And it is all because of the obedience of this one man, Ananias.

This story of Saul reminds us that we cannot judge a person by their exterior. We have no way of knowing what God is doing in that person’s heart. That is why we are to hate sin, but Love the sinner. We also need to be obedient to what God has told us. It may not always seem logical or even safe, but God knows best. God will use anybody, and He has a plan for everybody. Be sensitive to the leading of the Spirit and Love your enemies. That person who has been causing you harm could be the next Paul.