Saul’s encounter with Y’shua Jesus was way longer than that of Moses’ Burning Bush experience, but equally dramatic. It also involved several persons, directly and indirectly part of the transformation. We know that after hearing God, Saul was sent to someone who would provide him with the relevant spiritual education. We hear more about that in Today’s Holy Nougat.
Acts 9:11, 13, 15 AMP
[11] And the Lord said to him, “Get up and go to the street called Straight, and ask at the house of Judas for a man from Tarsus named Saul; for he is praying [there],
[13] But Ananias answered,
“Lord, I have heard from many people about this man, especially how much suffering and evil he has brought on Your saints (God’s people) at Jerusalem;”
[15] But the Lord said to him,
“Go, for this man is a [deliberately] chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel…”
Chosen
The person chosen to teach Saul about Jesus was Ananias. But, prior to the special training, God gave Saul a spiritual detox. ‘Quarantined’ by God for three days in Damascus at Judas’ home, not only was Saul obliged to forfeit food and drink, but Saul also lost his sight. The man who led others to their death had to be led by others to the city! Siblings, we may see God’s chosen, and assume that their meteoric rise to importance is all about their own work and worth. I invite us to learn (from) their conviction-conversion stories. It may surprise us when we hear the back story.
Self-Check
Has anyone’s back story led us to live differently for Christ? What about our own back stories? Are we confident enough to share it with others?
Application
Of course, God also had to speak with Ananias, the evangelist chosen to communicate the Gospel to Saul. Ananias was sure that he had misheard God, for Saul’s reputation preceded him. Everyone knew, in fact or by hearsay, that Saul was Gospel-averse. Y’shua was not part of Saul’s religious reflections at that time, and the pre-Damascus Road Saul would kill to keep it that way. Ananias did not really want to go see Saul.
But Y’shua had plans for Saul, the chosen. Plans that included Saul being unashamed of the Gospel of Christ, proclaiming its power for salvation for Jews and Gentiles alike (Romans 1:15-17)! So Saul’s original idea to go to Damascus for permits from the Synagogue leaders was actually God’s setup. God already had plans due for execution even prior to Saul’s arrival in Damascus.
Who then, was God’s chosen? Was it Saul, his accompanyiers, Judas (who housed Saul), or Ananias? I would say all of the above.
For even though those men didn’t feature strongly in the post-conviction era, God had selected them to be compassionate. It was those men who took the blinded Saul to Straight St (despite being scared about what they weren’t wholly sure they understood). Judas could have refused to host Saul in that state.
But, for God’s plan to prevail, they were all chosen as critical actors in Saul’s transformation.
Siblings, this ought to assure us that we’re all God’s chosen. And, it’s likely that our Chosenness includes sharing/explaining the Gospel of Christ to those who do not yet believe. We might be part of a chain of interventions that find realisation in salvation. We might not even live to see the person make that confession of faith. As God’s chosen, we can opt to double-check the mission. We know that although Ananias baulked at helping the persecutor Saul, he was obedient to God’s instruction. So let’s go forth as God directs. Who knows, someone’s salvation might depend on it.
Point to Ponder
Can we identify any of those whom God chose to reveal the message of salvation to us? Let’s pause to thank God for their obedience.
Are there Sauls in our contexts for whom we’ve been chosen by God to share the message of salvation? Is it now time for us to obey God and move past worry?
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May all we seek be found in Christ
