Acts 9:10-18
In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!” “Yes, Lord,” he answered. 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. In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.” “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.” 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. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” 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.” Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, Acts 9:10-18 (NIV)
It is an understatement to say that during this time frame, Saul was not the most popular person among Christian believers. Acts 9:1: “Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples.” Yet the Lord had decided that Saul should be saved! And he chose Ananias to do the earthly work! Ananias, of course, was skeptical of his impending assignment because of Saul’s murderous reputation! Yet he reluctantly accepted this assignment! The message I get from these passages is that even those who have done bad things are worth saving. As a society we do try to reclaim those that have failed society’s norms. Part of our prison system contains rehabilitation. How successful it is could be debated but some folks do get out and lead productive lives afterwards. Yet the rate of recidivism in the US remains very high at around 70% according to Google! So, we have a long way to go before our system’s rehab rate is higher. The passage also tells me that we never know who may be praying for salvation and need a helping hand. ALL are worth saving is another message that comes from Luke’s writing. Yet our society continues to make judgements about certain classes of people as to their worthiness for help. Ask any of our members who have been to Tanzania or Honduras if they found anyone not worth helping or loving!
To sum up, these passages are another way of telling us, all are to be loved. We don’t imprison people who are different. We help them, teach them and love them.
Questions for Reflection:
- Are you an Ananias? Do you try to help those who need help for any number of reasons? Remember there are many ways to help, including financial if not physical!
- Are you skeptical of people who are different? If so, how can you overcome that skepticism?
Prayer:
Lord, help me help those who are in need and to recognize that just because someone is different from me, that they are not lesser. And, give me the will to accept and love others as myself! Amen
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