The obedient disciple
by Pauline Simonsen
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Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel (Acts 9:15).
Read Acts 9:10-19a
Meet one of my Bible heroes: Ananias!
This is the only time we meet him, ‘a disciple living in Damascus’. Later Paul describes him as ‘a devout observer of the law, highly respected’ (Acts 22:12). Most importantly, he knows and loves and follows the Lord Jesus.
And what a world-changing task his Lord gives him! To Ananias, it’s a terrifying task: go to Saul of Tarsus, and lay hands on him to heal his blindness.
Ananias knows about Saul: he is the bogeyman of Christ-followers everywhere, come now to persecute Jesus’ people here in Damascus. Surely the Lord wouldn’t send Ananias to this man – into the very mouth of the lion?!
The Lord’s response to Ananias’ profound misgivings is direct. ‘Go!’ God has chosen Saul as his strategic vessel to carry Jesus’ name to the Gentiles. And now Saul will suffer much for Jesus’ sake.
Ananias has a choice. He could ignore this fearful command; pass the vision off as a crazy dream; talk himself out of what he is hearing. It would certainly be the sensible, safer option.
But Jesus’ powerful word speaks courage and compassion into Ananias. Without further argument, he goes to Saul, right into the house, right up to the bogeyman, places his hands on him, and calls him ‘brother’. Wow! That’s the love and grace of Jesus, flowing through Ananias to shattered Saul, who has been praying and hoping for this Ananias to come to him.
Imagine if Ananias had said no? He would’ve missed this empowering by Jesus’ Spirit, this flow of boldness and mercy. He would’ve missed this extraordinary encounter of grace. Thank God for Ananias, the obedient man who did as his Lord commanded and brought God’s grace and healing to broken Saul. The scales fall from Saul’s eyes – he sees clearly, physically and spiritually. He is baptised and filled with the Holy Spirit. He is reborn into the life of God, for ministry.
Ananias fades from the picture. But the world is changed because of his faithful obedience.
Only God knows how through history the quiet courage and service of his unknown disciples have enabled the great works of God to be done.
When you hear his word to you, no matter how challenging, let that word fill you and hold you and empower you for whatever he calls you to do.
It might change someone’s world.
Open my ears to hear you, Lord Jesus, and my heart and will to receive your word to me. Help me to obey you, whatever and whomever you call me to. And when I tremble, speak courage to me! Amen.
Pauline Simonsen is the dean of Emmaus, a Christian training provider for adults in Palmerston North, New Zealand. Pauline is also a spiritual director and enjoys leading retreats or guest speaking for the wider Christian church. She is married to Roger, and they live with two much-loved cats in the beautiful Manawatu region of New Zealand.
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