This is one of the greatest stories of transformation in the Bible. We’re given hope that God can use us, too, no matter what we have done in the past. Here we meet Saul. He was mentioned only briefly in chapters 7 and 8, but here we see what God had intended for him.
We’re given a glimpse into the person Saul was before encountering Jesus, and he was “eager to kill the Lord’s followers,” known as “the Way.” Just the sight of Saul would have brought fear to the believers. Saul’s assignment to Damascus would end differently than he expected.
Jesus certainly got Saul’s attention with this intervention. God can be creative when he needs to be. Saul would have needed to be totally broken so that he could be reborn with a passion for Jesus. The old Saul was totally against Jesus. Can you imagine being blind for three days and not eating or drinking anything? I wonder what thoughts went through Saul’s mind during that period of darkness?
An encounter with Jesus is what I pray for many of my friends and loved ones so that they can see the truth and turn from the lies of the world. Even church leaders are going astray as they fall prey to conforming to the world. A watered-down gospel is not a way to show love. Romans 12:2 says, “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” This is great counsel from “future Saul,” known as Paul.
Jesus recruited Ananias to help with his plan for Saul. Saul’s own men had gotten Saul safely to Damascus, but now Ananias would step in to be Jesus’ hands and feet. Did you sense a hesitancy or fear in Ananias? Do you think Ananias felt unprepared or fearful of his assignment? Sometimes God asks us to do things that cause us to step outside of our comfort zones. This was exactly what happened to Ananias. Don’t be afraid to listen to God.
To counteract Ananias’ hesitation, the Lord shared a bit of his plan for Saul’s transformation. “Go, for Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel. And I will show him how much he must suffer for my name’s sake.” I can just picture Ananias’ expression of complete disbelief. What a message! God had “chosen” Saul as his instrument to be a messenger to the Gentiles. What would have surprised Ananias more, that Saul was chosen, or that the Gentiles would be receiving the message of Jesus, too? God had big plans for Saul.
God knew Ananias would be faithful and obedient, despite the unexpected assignment. Saul received his healing and began to rebuild his strength. For safety reasons, Saul stayed with the believers in Damascus, the same ones he had planned to drag off to the leading priests in Jerusalem. The new Saul didn’t waste a moment, and he “immediately” began preaching the truth about Jesus.
What a sight to behold! Any time we see lives transformed by Jesus’ touch, we should rejoice. Transformed lives can draw attention. We know from experience that as Christ followers we are under the watchful eye of non-believers and evil ones seeking to destroy us. Saul knew the drill, so he shouldn’t have been surprised when fellow Jews plotted against him.
Have you ever felt like you were in danger because of your faith? Many Christians today live in areas of the world where they find themselves persecuted for their faith. Even in the United States, it seems that every day we hear accounts of Christians being shut down for standing on the truth of Scripture. Being Christian isn’t always popular.
Jesus warned us about that in John 16:33, along with a promise. “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” Jesus has won the victory. He is in control. We can rest in Jesus when the world closes in around us. Enjoy your transformed life in Jesus today!
Let’s pray. Lord Jesus, thank you for how you have taken my life and brought new meaning. I am definitely a different person than I was before I met you. I look forward to growing closer to you each day. Open my eyes to see you working in this world. Open my mouth to speak your truth to those who need to hear it. Guide my steps and protect my heart from evil. In Jesus’ name. Amen,
