Acts 9:13 “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem.
Ananias’s comments here seem very bold to me. He basically asks God if He’s sure that Saul is the right one to use here. After all, Ananias has heard about Saul’s behavior, too. He’s a Pharisee of Pharisees. He has enthusiastically murdered people of the Way. I can practically feel Ananias’s incredulity: Seriously, God? This guy?
Acts 9:14 And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.”
It makes me think of all the people we write off because they sin differently than we do. “God can’t possibly value this life because they… (fill-in-the-blank with a sin we would never even consider). Yet God chose as His instrument a murderous Pharisee on his way to persecute Christians. With love, God changed his heart, changed his name, changed his entire life.
Acts 9:15 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.
Precious Savior, Forgive me when I write someone off because of something I deem unacceptable to You. In the words of the billboard I saw so very long ago, help me to “Just love everyone” and let You “sort them out later,” so that I don’t risk excluding the very instrument You are seeking. Help me. Amen.
Acts 9:16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”
Have a blessed day.