10 In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!”
“Yes, Lord,” he answered.
11 The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.”
13 “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. 14 And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.”
15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”
17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, 19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength.
Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus. 20 At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. 21 All those who heard him were astonished and asked, “Isn’t he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name? And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?” 22 Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah. [1]
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The phrase that jumped out at me today was verse 16. “I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” Is God trying to get back at Saul? Is this some kind of Karma, that since Saul was a persecutor, he was going to be put through the same kind of experience? Is God trying to enlist Ananias’ cooperation by assuring him that Saul was going to get paid back?
Of course God is not so petty. So what’s the point of Saul suffering? And why does God mention it to Ananias?
This phrase, instead of indicating God’s displeasure with Saul, indicates how closely God is inviting Saul in, how Saul will fully experience the covenant identity. Notice what else God says about Saul, that he will be the chosen instrument for the next phase of the mission. Notice that God heals Saul and fills him with the Spirit. The Spirit’s filling of Saul is also seen in the powerful witnessing that takes place after his baptism.
So God is giving Saul everything that is part of being in covenant union with God and being a kingdom representative (see Covenant and Kingdom). But identity with Christ also means identity with His cross. As I pointed out yesterday, Jesus continues to suffer in the suffering on His church. This is an indication of His identity with the church, his body. By pointing out that Saul will suffer as well, God is telling Ananias that Saul is fully identified with Him, and is part of the body. This tells Ananias to hold nothing back in considering Saul a full brother. If God is willing to enter into covenant oneness with Saul, that means Ananias is in covenant with him as well.
This point has led me today to pray for those undergoing persecution for their faith, but also those who are fearful of witnessing because of the possibility of negative consequences. Jesus assures us that experiencing the negative is not a sign of failure (assuming we’re not being jerks!), but rather of identifying with Him and His cross.
So I pray for faithfulness for myself and all others who need encouragement in witness!
What is the Word leading you to pray about today?
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[1] The New International Version. 2011 (Ac 9:10–22). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
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