Ananias’ Availability
April 3, 2021
Commentary
Without doubt Ananias is one of the forgotten heroes of the Christian Church. If it is true that the Church owes Paul’s conversion to the prayer of Stephen, it is also true that the Church owes Paul’s spiritual growth to the brotherliness of Ananias. In this passage Ananias, one of whom nothing is previously recorded, appears on the scene. He was a devout Jew (22:12) and a believer in Jesus Christ. Ananias evidently had been warned that Saul was coming to Damascus to arrest believers.
The Lord told Ananias to go to the house of Judas, on the street called Straight in Damascus to minister to Saul (vv. 10-12). You can imagine how reluctant he might have been. However, after being assured by the Lord that Saul was a changed man Ananias obeyed and went to minister to him (vv. 13-16). He said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road, has sent me so that you might regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit” (v. 17). By the power of God, Saul’s eyes were opened, and he could see (v. 18)! He was also filled with the Holy Spirit and baptized, and then he ate some food (v. 19).
After this Saul remained with the Christians in Damascus for several days and no doubt learned much from them. He also began to preach in the synagogues (vv. 19-20). They found it difficult to believe that the man who had been the chief persecutor of Christians was now preaching the faith that he had set out to destroy. Paul’s visit to Arabia (Galatians 1:17) likely took place between verses 21 and 22. Paul spent time alone with the Lord in a desert area. Perhaps it was during this time that he experienced “perils of robbers” and “perils in the wilderness” (II Cor. 11:26). It seems evident that he just needed time to come to grips with his newfound faith.
Application
Have I been fearful of obeying the Lord today? Who can I be an Ananias to? I just need to be a person who is availableand perhaps lead another D.L. Moody to Christ.
Acts 9:10– 22 (NET)
10 Now there was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias,” and he replied, “Here I am, Lord.” 11 Then the Lord told him, “Get up and go to the street called ‘Straight,’ and at Judas’ house look for a man from Tarsus named Saul. For he is praying, 12 and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and place his hands on him so that he may see again.” 13 But Ananias replied, “Lord, I have heard from many people about this man, how much harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem, 14 and here he has authority from the chief priests to imprison all who call on your name!” 15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, because this man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before Gentiles and kings and the people of Israel. 16 For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” 17 So Ananias departed and entered the house, placed his hands on Saul and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came here, has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, 19 and after taking some food, his strength returned.
20 and immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “This man is the Son of God.” 21 All who heard him were amazed and were saying, “Is this not the man who in Jerusalem was ravaging those who call on this name, and who had come here to bring them as prisoners to the chief priests?” 22 But Saul became more and more capable, and was causing consternation among the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Christ.