Ananias appears briefly in the book of Acts as one of the most important supporting roles in the written Word. Called by God literally and figuratively, he hesitates at first after told that murderous Saul was the object of his ministry that day. But Ananias obeys his Master and Saul-Paul receives his sight and is powerfully filled with the Holy Spirit.
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Interesting Observations – First, in a day with no electronic communication, it’s clear the word of Saul’s arrival and evil intent had been received much earlier! How was that so quickly achieved? Second, although Saul was blind, he could “see” a vision of Ananias given directly from Christ. And he was saved by the time Ananias arrived, calling him “brother!” Lastly, a man named Judas was giving hospitality to the great Saul, now blind. Was Judas a believer risking his life too? Or a sympathetic pagan that allowed Ananias to minister to Saul?
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Acts 9:10–19 Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and the Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” And the Lord said to him, “Get up and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying, 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.” But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he did to Your saints at Jerusalem; and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.”
But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel; for I will show him how much he must suffer for My name’s sake.”
So Ananias departed and entered the house, and after laying his hands on him said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road by which you were coming, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” And immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he regained his sight, and he got up and was baptized; and he took food and was strengthened.
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Almighty Father, please give our brethren this message since they behold Your face in Heaven! When we arrive in heaven for the Great Wedding Feast and afterwards, we can converse with our dear ones directly throughout eternity.
Brother Ananias, thank you for being faithfully courageous after knowing Saul-Paul was on his way to capture and even kill people like you. I can imagine what you wife and family must have thought about your safety when you decided to depart! I look forward to meeting you and enjoying fellowship for eternity.
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