Aug 31, 2014

Acts 9:10-19

In order to set the stage realize Saul’s encounter with Jesus changed everything.

His eyes were set towards Damascus… Until a bright light deterred his view.

His journey sure and his path determined… Until Christ stood in the way.

Saul had resisted everything about Jesus… Now he declares Him Lord.

Pride was found in his self-sufficiency… Now in weakness he’s “led by the hand.”

Saul’s future seemed bright and promising… Now he sits alone in dark despair.

His purpose in Damascus had always been clear… As he arrives it’s painfully uncertain. 

Saul vigorously persecuted the church… Now he’s praying for their acceptance.

Indeed an encounter with Jesus will turn a life upside down… or maybe right side up.

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Before we get to our text, consider “the men who journeyed with Saul…”

More in likely members of the Temple Guard these men were more than “traveling companions” they were “partners in crime.” They, along with Saul, were all traveling down the same road of life, headed towards the same destination, possessing the same intentions. They were ultimately united in their religious zealotry, rejection of Jesus, and hatred towards “those who were of the Way.”

It’s also significant that while all of these men shared a similar experience on the road to Damascus the experience itself clearly didn’t yield the same results. 

Similarities: If you take into account the narratives of Acts 9 and Acts 22 everyone making the journey to Damascus was stopped dead in their tracks by this blinding light, heard an audible voice, and were unquestionably freaked out by the whole experience. 

Difference: In Acts 9:7 we’re told “the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one.”  Then in Acts 22:9 Paul states that these men “did not hear the voice of Him who spoke.” It would seem that while Saul heard and understood a voice that would change his life forever, the rest of these men only heard a voice (a noise) that was found to be unintelligible.

It’s been said one of the great mysteries of evangelism is that while a multitude of people can share the same experience and hear the same voice, only some are conscious of the real message and have a life-changing encounter with Jesus.

Sadly, though these men all shared a similar experience on the road to Damascus, it was only Saul who, in the end, converted and became a follower of Jesus! 

Now before you come to the defense of these men and argue that this was to be expected as Jesus was clearly intervening in the life of Saul, please consider the incredible amount of secondary revelation these men would have experienced.

Here they are traveling from Jerusalem to Damascus when “suddenly a light shown from heaven…” Standing there paralyzed by fear they see Saul fall to the ground… 

Though they all recognize a voice is coming from heaven, it’s apparent Saul is the only one able to make out the words because he verbally responds, “Who are You, Lord?” 

As they watch, Saul’s question is then followed by more unintelligible noises indicating he and this mysterious voice are having a profound exchange. Beyond this, it also becomes evident that whatever was just communicated didn’t sit well with Saul because he starts “trembling” before replying, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” 

Once again Saul’s second question is followed by more noise until the light goes out. Clearly shaken and disoriented by the blindness, Saul gets up “from the ground” and we’re told these men “lead him by the hand to Damascus.” Seriously! Are we to honestly believe questions weren’t immediately asked with answers provided?

I’m sure out of pure curiosity they ask, “Saul who were you talking to and what was being said? Did you get a name? Was it an angel? Maybe Gabriel?” 

Imagine the look on their faces when Saul reluctantly answers, “Guys, it was Jesus. He called me out! He said I’ve been resisting what I knew to be true. Oh… He was quite clear that He took our persecution of His followers kind of personally.” 

To their credit, at a minimum, these men help a blind Saul into the city as Jesus had instructed; but sadly, the text indicates not one of these men converted. Instead, they each walk off the scene leaving Saul alone in Damascus with no one at his side.

Why did these men refuse to believe? Did they doubt the authenticity of Saul’s experience? I don’t think so! It’s beyond question they saw enough to recognize he was telling the truth. Instead, I believe these men refused to believe for the same reason they abandoned Saul in Damascus… They weren’t willing to accept the implications. 

Though these men were genuine friends who had faithfully “journeyed with Saul,” after witnessing and even testifying to his life-changing encounter with Jesus, they all made the decision this new journey Saul was embarking on would undoubtedly lead down a path they were not willing to travel themselves!

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Tragically, Saul converts and his friends desert; however, God was one step ahead for… Acts 9:10-14, “There was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” So the Lord said to him, “Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying. And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight.” Then Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.” 

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I love this transition… Saul has just encountered a resurrected Jesus and his entire life has imploded. And yet, after his friends bail on him, as if on cue “there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias.” Is it a coincidence Jesus just so happens to have the perfect man in place for such an occasion as this? 

You can’t help but see the providence of God on display. Why had Saul traveled to Damascus? To arrest Christians? Nope! Saul traveled to Damascus because Jesus knew that following their exchange he would need the likes of a “certain disciple… Ananias.”

Note: We know very little about Ananias. We don’t know how he became a believer or how long he’s been walking with Jesus. He’s not an apostle, pastor, elder, or deacon. All we know is that he’s a “disciple” from Damascus and his name is “Ananias.”

Let’s get into the scene… Ananias is minding his business when he receives a “vision” from the Lord. Because this command to seek out Saul was fundamentally dangerous and in some ways counterintuitive (Saul had traveled to Damascus to arrest and imprison Christians), God does something unique in the instructions He provides Ananias. 

Whereas most of the time God’s commands are simple and singular (“Go into the city” and wait for further instructions), in this instance God provides Ananias a detailed, specific, even thorough set of instructions for the purpose of verification. 

“Go find “the street called Straight…” On this street you will find “the house of Judas…”  When you knock ask for a “Saul of Tarsus…” When you find him he should be “praying…” Ask him about the vision I’ve given him. He’s been waiting for your arrival. Finally, when you find him he should be blind. You will help restore his sight.”

Even with so many points for verification, you can rightfully understand Ananias’ initial hesitation. Saul had a reputation. He had been actively seeking to destroy the church in Jerusalem by arresting, imprisoning, even murdering Christians. Ananias was very aware Saul had come to Damascus with the same evil intentions. 

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Personally, I don’t fault Ananias for just making sure he and God they were on the same page… Acts 9:15-16, “But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.” 

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Once again, in an interesting and abnormal twist to the way things typically work, God eases Ananias’ concerns by bringing him into the loop. In a sense God pulls back the curtain and gives Ananias a glimpse into His divine plan for Saul. 

As crazy and unlikely as it seemed God had amazing plans for his life. We’re told he was a “chosen vessel” or literally a “chosen instrument” God would use “to bear His name” or “to carry His name” before… “Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel.” And yet, in the process of his obedience, God tells Ananias that Saul would “suffer many things.” 

In 2 Corinthians 11:23-28 Paul records… “In labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often. From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeys often, in perils of waters, robbers, of my own countrymen, of the Gentiles, in the city, wilderness, sea… Among false brethren; in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness…”

Do you realize if you’re a follower of Jesus you are also a “chosen vessel?” Do you realize you were created before the foundations of the world and then saved by the precious blood of Christ for a reason, to fulfill a purpose, that you might be His “chosen instrument” used to carry His name before…

In Ephesians 2:10 we’re told that “we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”

May we never forget that while our path might not include the same type of suffering the Apostle Paul experienced, suffering is still an unavoidable part of our walk with God.

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Acts 9:17-19, “And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized. So when he had received food, he was strengthened. Then Saul spent some days with the disciples at Damascus.”

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While Saul had come desiring to lay hold of the likes of Ananias, God had flipped the script by sending Ananias to go lay hold of Saul! Sure Saul had received God’s gift of salvation the moment he surrendered his life to Jesus; and yet, God sent Ananias because there were two things that still needed to happen in his life.

1. Saul needed to understand the depths of God’s forgiveness.

Though Saul had finally surrendered to Jesus, it was also true he’d left a path of destruction in his wake. Killing people you’re convinced are guilty of religious heresy might be one thing, but living with the reality they were actually innocent is another!

For three days as Saul sits in the darkness all he can see are the faces of those he persecuted… The faces of those he executed… The men and women he left widowed… The children who had been orphaned. Then there was the picture of Stephen looking to heaven as they stoned him to death! These images haunted him. 

I am sure that for the last three days Saul has been overwhelmed with regret, paralyzed by guilt, and mired in condemnation. It explains why he “neither ate nor drank.” How could anyone forgive him for the things he had done? 

Enter Ananias… Picture the heaviness of the scene. Saul is sitting alone in a silent, haunting darkness. The only instructions he’s been given had been vague to say the least, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” 

After three long, agonizing days of seeming inactivity, Saul hears approaching footsteps. Panic sets in as he feels a hand grabs his shoulder. Unsure what’s about to come next he hears a voice tenderly say, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight…”

I can imagine the first two words uttered by Ananias rushed through his soul like a tsunami… “Brother Saul!” Understand the implications… Ananias wasn’t there to let Saul know God had decided to forgive him, he came to make sure Saul fully understood that God had already forgiven him! 

Though he had done nothing to earn it and nothing to deserve it, Saul of Tarsus was already a “brother!” He had graciously been granted a place in the family of God.

I hope you understand what Saul needed was not the fortitude to forgive himself, but rather the humility to receive the forgiveness of God. Sadly, the psycho-garbage that permeates out of our culture teaches that “self-forgiveness” is the only way by which a man in Saul’s position would have been able to emerge out from under the weight of his own guilt and sense of unworthiness. 

Many argue that until Saul broke down and forgave himself he would not have been able to be effectively used by God. Joel Osteen has publicly stated that “if we don't forgive ourselves… we will never experience the good life God has in store for us.” 

Honestly, our need for self-forgiveness is asinine and totally unBiblical! If “forgiveness” is defined as “liberating someone from the debt of whatever offense they’ve committed,” then how can self liberate self from the debt self owes another? Try that strategy with your creditors or the IRS! It’s not even based in reality!

“Excuse me Mr. Adams, but it shows in our ledger that you owe the government $4000 in back taxes.” “Oh don’t worry about it I forgave myself that debt earlier this year and truthfully as a result I really feel so much better about my current financial situation.”

Though it’s true God does not want Christians bogged down in “condemnation” or even paralyzed by a deep sense of unworthiness, please realize “there is therefore now no condemnation” not because you’ve forgiven yourself, but because you have been found “in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1)” and thereby forgiven by God! 

You see the key for Saul to experience freedom from the immense weight of the horrible things he had done was for him to come to terms with the reality that God had forgiven him because of the love Jesus demonstrated through His atoning work on the cross.

Beyond the incredible nature of this reality… While God’s forgiveness may help us walk in victory instead of being muddled in condemnation, I’m not sure we’re ever supposed to escape our deep sense of unworthiness because of sin. Saul didn’t! 

According to 1 Corinthians 15:10 Paul explains that as his sense of his own unworthiness continued to deepen so to did the depths of God’s grace. You see Saul’s unworthiness was never viewed as an excuse for inactivity, but was instead his motivation to serve God with an even greater zeal and passion. He said, “By the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly… Yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.”

2. Saul needed a friend to help him grow in his faith.

As bizarre an analogy as this might seem, consider Ananias as being a sort of spiritual midwife. Saul was a three day old spiritual infant on life support which is why God sent this faithful disciple to help him navigate a very vulnerable time in his life.

First, Ananias was there to help Saul see… We’re told as he spoke with Saul “immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once.” Though Saul had been physically blinded by the bright light that engulfed him on the road to Damascus, in a much greater sense his whole life had been lived in darkness. In 2 Corinthians 4:4 Paul would say that those “who do not believe” have had their “minds blinded by the god of this age.” 

As a midwife Ananias was there to not only help baby Saul transition from the darkness into the light, but as is the case with any infant Saul would need Ananias to help him process this new world he was seeing for the first time.

Secondly, Ananias was there to help a weak Saul gain his strength… Luke tells us “when he had received food, he was strengthened.” While this passage obviously refers to Saul regaining his physical strength, I am reminded of Jeremiah 31:25 were we’re told the Lord “will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint.”

As a midwife Ananias was able to insure Saul had a healthy diet of the “Bread of Life” and the “Living Water” only available through Christ Jesus. He grew in the process!

I pray you realize that the Christian experience is not designed to be a “go it alone” proposition, and while we all need friends to effectively “run this race” there is an important responsibility we all share to come alongside the likes of spiritual new-borns. 

Like Saul, not only are baby believers in a vulnerable season, but in many instances their vulnerability becomes compounded by two stark realities: (1) Their world has fallen apart, and (2) Their friends have left them high and dry.

In the Hebrew “Ananias” or “Hananias” simply means “whom Jehovah has graciously given.” I like this for when it’s all said and done there is no doubt Ananias’ loving friendship would be seen by Saul as nothing more than the gracious gift of God. 

But also notice, beyond the involvement of Ananias, “Saul spent some days with the disciples at Damascus.” As a man with a 2.5 year old at home and another on the way I can attest that caring for a new-born takes a village. Caring for an infant is not a job any one person can do alone. 

Though Ananias served as Saul’s main caregiver I appreciate the fact that there was an entire community of disciples in Damascus willing to rally around and support Saul.

As a church may we share this important responsibility of caring for new believers, but on the flip side… If you are a new born yourself, understand it is of the utmost importance that you stay plugged into a local community of believers. If it was important for the likes of Saul, how can you claim it’s not essential for the likes of you?