I seldom consider the faith of Ananias of Damascus. He had heard the rumors about the violence against the church by the hands of Saul. Maybe he had fled Jerusalem after Stephen’s death. When he heard that Saul was coming to town did he hide? What did he pray? What did he think about the rumors in town that Saul had been blinded by a light from heaven? Surely God had answered the prayers of the saints and Saul had finally be stopped from his acts of terror. But God does not want to stop tyrants! He wants to convert them. He wants to adopt them. He wants them to be a vital and growing part of his family. Imagine the look on Ananias’ face when Jesus gave him the assignment to share the full Gospel with Saul. At this point Saul knew that Jesus was at God’s right hand, and that Jesus was the leader Moses had spoken of (as per Stephen’s speech). But Saul didn’t know about grace. He needed to see it acted out by someone who’s faith was greater than his hate. Ananias was that man. Ananias was willing to enter the home of a Jewish leader looking for a blinded man. Then in front of that Jewish contingent he would share the same message to got Stephen, and many other believers, killed. Somehow in between the call to go and end of that prayer time with Jesus Ananias’ fear and hatred was converted. He saw Saul the same way that God looked on him; a blind man searching for the light of life.
Stuart
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