READ: 2 Chronicles 21, 22;
Psalms 10; Acts 9: 1-19
SCRIPTURE: Acts 9: 10 In
Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a
vision, “Ananias!” “Yes, Lord,” he answered.
OBSERVATION: Ananias was a common name among the Jews. It is the Greek form of the
Hebrew Hananiah, which means “The Lord is gracious/shows grace” (Jer.28:1; Dan.1:6). Acts 9:10 says Ananias was
a disciple of Jesus in Damascus. We do not know much about this Ananias. Some
say that he was among the 70 disciples (Luke 10); Some say he was a gentile who
followed Jewish law and customs. Later, Paul says, “He (Ananias) was a devout
observer of the law and highly respected by all the Jews living there” (Acts
22:12). Before his conversion, Paul knew nothing about Ananias. When Lord Jesus
told about “Tarsus of Saul,” Ananias immediately recognized who this Saul was
and remembered his works against the Church. In his first “Yes” to the Lord,
Ananias was ready to do whatever the Lord would ask him. However, he expressed
his apprehensions when he came to know about the person the Lord asked him to
meet and give vision. Soon after the Lord clarified his doubts and explained his
will for Saul (Paul), Ananias went to
Saul without further questions. Reaching where Saul was waiting for him,
he accepted him with Christ’s love by saying, ‘Brother Saul, receive your
sight!’ (Acts.22:13). Ananias explained God’s call for Saul’s life and led Saul
to take Baptism. Saul, the persecutor, became a member of the persecuted
Church.
The simple
obedience of Ananias helped Paul to become a member of the Early Church and to
get the vision for his apostolic ministry for the Lord Jesus Christ. When God
calls someone to become a Christian, we should not look at their history and
past deeds. Instead, we should accept them to taste Christ’s love and God’s
word. We must look at what God could do through the person in the coming days
as s/he obeys Christ and grow in the Lord. Our love and acceptance of newcomers
to the Church will help them remain and grow in the Lord. Ananias’s small act
of kindness and obedience immensely helped the Church’s mission to take the
Gospel to gentiles. Despite knowing a
person’s past life and wrong deeds, are we ready to accept him/her if s/he wants
to become a follower of Christ?
APPLICATION: When Jesus wants to add someone into his flock, I should not/
cannot be a hindrance to God’s plan of salvation. I should remember how God
accepted me and helped me grow in the Church fellowship and his word. As a
disciple of Jesus, I will never drive away anyone who comes to Jesus (John
6:37). Instead, I will help them grow in God’s word and become a disciple of Jesus
Christ.
PRAYER: Jesus, thank you that you help many people to know
about you through visions and dreams, even today. Lord, open my eyes and heart
to strengthen them with your love, word, and the Church fellowship. They, too,
will become Jesus’ disciples someday. Amen.
- Arputharaj Samuel
+91 9538328573
Day - 192
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