Chosen Messengers
Acts 9:13-16
Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.
Both Ananias and Saul have heard pretty much everything about the other. How many know that when the Spirit comes, he shows us all truth in John 16:13. There is a spiritual sight to be gained here which is worth more than the perspective of this world. Oh, to keep Heaven's mind in view. Could it be some cannot get a breakthrough because we are busily worrying about the wrong stuff. But the focus here seems to be on Saul and not Ananias. It seems that Ananias, as a small-town believer, knows very much about Saul indeed. So much so, that Ananias quickly lists all he has done. Somehow, word traveled fast about the plight of the saints in Jerusalem. In those times, you would have needed a horse, some company, and a couple of days to get from here to there. Bear with me for just a minute; this is important to see. Saul was led in by the hand after having seen Jesus by the roadside. The rest of the way to the house on the path called Straight was taken up in speaking to Jesus. See, he came to speak to the chief priests and officials of the synagogues; now that he has met Jesus, he has said nothing unto them. But Ananias already knew all about it. He even feared for his life because of the authority vested in Saul by man. At the sight of one having authority from the chief priests, Ananias was left pale and shaking. He ought to have feared God more but see he does not. Have you ever noticed someone who opens their mouth to complain and instead tells you all about themselves.
Ananias has spoken to many people about what Saul was doing in this city even before God called him. He almost seems ready to protect the new church if necessary. But how many know that when God calls you, all you need to do is listen. My, this is rich. At no point does Ananias say, 'Lord, I think you have picked the wrong guy.' I see a former killer of the people guarding them with his life. I see a killer sent to a killer to tell him about the Lord. More than that, the killer would restore that which had been taken, even his sight. By touching the head, Ananias will show that Saul has once more been made right before God and man. In Old Testament times the one who had been afflicted and then made whole would show themselves to a priest to bear witness to the restoration. What a testimony. God will restore even his sight. See, Saul could have gone around seeking for some to be his eyes as he bound the believers. But there is none of this here. God has changed the man completely. Not only that, but I see no signs of the former murderer that Ananias used to be. I wonder if he had ever done the same. He seems to know exactly what Saul would do. Now he comes with little power and authority to him that has some to restore the gift that was taken. Yet look how gracious God is here. He knows whom Ananias should be then calls him to fulfill his office correctly once more.
But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.
Excuse me, it seems we are a little new to the rules of the road. This guy Ananias might be nothing more than a sidenote in another's story. But to Jesus he was everything. My, imagine getting paid better wages to do the same work for the Lord that you once did against him. Do you not see this same man trying to negotiate the terms of Saul's contract with the Lord. My friends, I did not know the Lord was hiring. But if he was, this is exactly how that conversation would go. I guess between Solomon's hired laborers in the vineyard of Song of Solomon 8:12, some of the Jews decided God could be taken at his word. So, they called on him like never before. But now dear old Ananias is trying to get our Lord to hire Saul also. Is it not funny that even in all the nonsense, the Lord told him to go away as he did in Daniel 12:9. Only this "go thy way" led in the direction indicated by the Lord. Indeed, God has arranged someone to bring his name before all that time. He is quite certain he does not need this man asking about Saul doing so. Yet for his mercy he chooses him to use anyway.
See Saul as the "chosen vessel" for the Lord. His trading wares are Jesus and his name. As such it will be borne before all men, small and great, of the time. Even as a ship at sea is tossed with the wind and waves, so Saul would face much in the service of Christ. But when God calls you, answer. Not only that but when he calls, he will also equip you. How many of you know that when the terms of Saul's contract are presented, he will be a good little vessel in service to God. Soon he too will go where he has been sent. Ananias was hired out as a servant to Christ in his vineyard as promised by Solomon so long ago. But Saul of the shipbuilding people would be a vessel fit for the master's use. Yet there is room enough in the kingdom for both. How intimately does God know each one. He does not simply dismiss Ananias as someone babbling nonsense. Instead, he simply gives him authority also to make disciples of men. Just so he will soon give Saul his authority on his healing day. This authority will not be to bind believers but rather to bear witness. Someone really ought to say with me, 'my isn't God good.'