Walking With Christ

Acts 9:10 Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.”(ESV)

Outside of the book of Acts, Ananias is not mentioned in the bible. What little we know if him is through the writings of Paul on how he, himself, converted. How Ananias came to be a Christian and who introduced him to the truth of Christ is not recorded.

Acts 9:11-12 (11)And the Lord said to him, “Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying, (12)and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.”(ESV)

We do know that Ananias was chosen by the Lord to be the conduit through which Saul would be converted to Paul.

Acts 9:13-14 (13)But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem. (14)And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.”(ESV)

Annanias knew of the reputation that Saul had. Annanias knew about the things Saul had done or caused to be done to other followers of Christ. Still, he was led by the holt spirit to pray over Saul.

Acts 9:15-16 (15)But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. (16)For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.”(ESV)

God has a purpose for Paul. He chose to work through an active and healthy disciple named Ananias. Ananias knew the risks of going to Saul, but his faith in Jesus far outweighed his fear of Saul.

Acts 9:17 So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”(ESV)

We never know what purpose God has for calling us to pray with or for someone. We never know what impact that will have on the kingdom. We can only know, for sure in the moment, that God does have a purpose for making the call. Ananias could have said no. In fact, we have no idea how many others did say no before Ananias said yes. We don’t know who they are because they didn’t say yes. Yes, it’s entirely possible that Ananias was the first person who was asked. We can’t know. What we can know for sure is that history does not remember those who said no. We, today, can only see the one who said yes and the massive impact that had on the world through the blessing the Lord had in mind.

Can I pray for you?