There was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias. How could such a short line be so powerful a pivot point? God was writing a new chapter in the story of salvation, and God does what he always does.
He started with a disciple.
We don’t know much about Ananias. Paul tells us later that Ananais was a pious man, well respected by the Jews (Acts 22:12). But at this first moment when he enters the story at stage left, Acts only gives us the most important part of information about Ananias.
Ananias was a disciple.
Disciple. The word carried weight in the New Testament world–more than the hashtag kind of force we sometimes give it today, like it belongs in a Twitter bio. Ananias: Faithful Jew, Christ-follower, #disciple. Go Damascus! Being a disciple meant something. A disciple was first and foremost a learner, but it was more than that. Disciples weren’t just students who dutifully attended lectures three times a week and scribbled test answers in blue books. Disciples walked in relationship with their master. They learned from him because they were with him. Jesus’ disciples were those who submitted themselves to his Lordship, conformed to Christ’s example, and participated in his kingdom mission.
Ananias was that kind of a disciple.
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” (Acts 9:11-15).
Ananias had a relationship with God that enabled him to not only hear from God but also dialogue about what he heard. Ananias knew God’s request carried risk. Go to Saul–Saul who breathed out threats against the church; Saul who had held coats for those who stoned Stephen to death; Saul who was willing to arrest both men and women who followed the Way–go to that Saul? God doesn’t expect unquestioning obedience; he expects faith that springs from our relationship with him. Ananias had a relationship with God that allowed him to question. He also had a relationship with God that allowed him to trust. And so Ananias did what God had asked him to do.
Ananias was a disciple.
We know the rest of the story. Ananias went to Saul. Ananias prayed for the same man who would gladly have thrown him and his family into prison if God hadn’t intervened. Scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and a man who had fallen to his knees as a persecutor of the church got up as a proclaimer of the gospel. God had turned the page on the a new chapter in salvation history: Paul, Apostle to the Gentiles.
Paul’s story started with a disciple.
It’s what God always does. When God gets ready to do a new thing, he looks for one who is willing. One who is listening; someone who is willing to talk, willing to trust, willing to act in faith. God looks for an Abraham, a David, an Esther, a Ruth. God looks for me. He looks for you. He looks for a disciple.
If we want to be used by God, we have to be people God can use. We have to be disciples. We have to cultivate the kind of relationship with God that allows us to hear his voice, question, and trust even when faith gets risky. We do that by building our own histories with God as we pursue him daily, encountering God in his word and seeking to live life in his presence. We become disciples by being with our master. Then, one day, when God picks up the pen and turns the page for a new part of the story, he speaks our names. And we’re ready.
Because when God does a new thing, he starts with a disciple.
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12 comments
that’s so true (ps – when i saw the title, i was thinking of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5 for some reason 😀 )
Lol–I thought of that when I did the title.
I’ve neglected my relationship with God and have ignored him. I’m on the road to restoring the relationship and am already hearing his direction regarding my role as mom.
Tami, you will be in my prayers. I’ve neglected God as well and I was amazed at the tender love with which He drew me back to Himself.
It’s so easy to do. Praying for you this week for refreshing and renewing times with the Lord.
What a thought-provoking post, Leigh. We often water down the definition of a disciple, don’t we? What really touched me, though was your sentence: God doesn’t expect unquestioning obedience; he expects faith that springs from our relationship with him. Too often I’ve heard that a true believer acts without question or hesitation when God calls. I can’t seem to do that. Thank you for reminding me that, not only does God allow us to come to Him with questions, He answers us and teaches us more about Himself with His answers.
Thanks Sherry. I think sometimes we get down on ourselves for having questions when what we need to do is direct those questions back to the Lord and listen for his answers. Faith grows best in the context of relationship, and God is willing to meet us when we come before him with our honest questions.
Beautifully written, Leigh! This makes me want to walk even more closely with Jesus and dig into the Word even more.
Hi, Leigh! 🙂 I’m stopping by from the CWB fb group. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate these words this evening. My husband is a pastor who just resigned his job (yesterday) because the leadership of our church no longer supports upholding the Bible as the authoritative Word of God. It’s been heart-breaking. But then I read here about when God wants to start something new… And we have no idea, literally, what lies before us, except something new. 🙂 So, thanks!
Jen @ Being Confident of This
Jen, thanks so much for sharing. As a fellow PW, I know how hard ministry life can be. I’m so sorry, and I’ll be praying for you and your husband to find open doors and that great new thing God is preparing for you at this moment. If you’re needing support, I’ve been a member of a great PW message board for several years. It’s a wonderful group of ladies who have really encouraged me at times when I’ve needed it. Here’s the link if you want to check it out: http://www.pastorswives.org/
Yes, beautifully written, I love Ananias’ story, on so many levels. There are some people in the bible who stand out for the faith they live out, Ananias is one of those people. I think we all have a list of people we want to look up when we get to heaven, he has always been in the top 10 of my list.
This makes me want to be a disciple of God even more! I treasure the word “disciple” now more, too. Thank you for your post. The key seems to be staying close to God, so we can hear His voice and follow Him wherever He goes. I hope that I can have the courage of Ananias and do what God tells me.
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