Ananias and the Conversion of Saul

Ananias protested, "Master, you can't be serious. Everybody's talking about this man and the terrible things he's been doing, his reign of terror against your people in Jerusalem! And now he's shown up here with papers from the Chief Priest that give him license to do the same to us." But the Master said, "Don't argue. Go! I have picked him as my personal representative to non-Jews and kings and Jews. And now I'm about to show him what he's in for—the hard suffering that goes with this job." Acts 9:13-16

The story of Saul's conversion on the road to Damascus is the stuff of Christian legend. Saul was the chief persecutor of the early church and after his conversion becomes the most highly effective pastor and church planter in history. Much has been said about Paul, his conversion, his influence, and his letters, but what concerns me in regards to spiritual friendship is the connection between Saul and Ananias.

Ananias is called a disciple of Jesus and is called by God to go find Saul and to lay hands on him to bring healing to his sight. Ananais' response to God is what we might expect; he is shocked and repulsed by the idea of helping the chief enemy of the church. God tells Ananias to not argue but to go and do it, that God is working in Saul's life and has a plan to use Saul for God's glory. Ananias obediently submits to God and goes to Saul saying:

"Brother Saul, the Master sent me, the same Jesus you saw on your way here. He sent me so you could see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit." No sooner were the words out of his mouth than something like scales fell from Saul's eyes—he could see again! He got to his feet, was baptized, and sat down with them to a hearty meal. Acts 9:17-19

Ananias, in the presence of a truly despicable human being, was being offered a choice, would he repay Saul for all the injustice he commited or would he extend grace and hospitality? He could have rejected Saul and ignored God's commands, instead he chose to be a spiritual friend to Saul paving the way forward for the church. Through the power of the holy spirit and the willingness of Ananias to offer the same forgiveness and love given through Jesus, we see the power of God's amazing grace to bring transformation to the lives of individuals and the community.

For us the question becomes: who is God calling us to befriend? Who are we to extend grace and mercy to? God never gives up on people no matter who they are and what they have done. God is on a mission to bring transformation, love, and grace to a hurting and broken world. God's best and only strategy is to use US to be God's hands and feet in carrying out this mission. God is calling us to love the unlovable, give grace to the sinner, and welcome the lost. This is a high and holy calling, one we should be familiar with since it was first given to us.

What a Friend We Have

I've told you these things for a purpose: that my joy might be your joy, and your joy wholly mature. This is my command: Love one another the way I loved you. This is the very best way to love. Put your life on the line for your friends. You are my friends when you do the things I command you. I'm no longer calling you servants because servants don't understand what their master is thinking and planning. No, I've named you friends because I've let you in on everything I've heard from the Father. John 15:11-15

The life of a follower of Jesus is one filled with life-giving relationships. We are called to be in relationship with Jesus and one another, to receive and to share the love of God. We cannot live a meaningful and fulfilling life apart from God or from one another. Jesus tells us that "I am the vine, you are the branches" (John 15:5) signifying that we receive our vitality and connection through our relationship with him. Apart from Christ I am like a dead branch, dried up and useless, but connected to Christ I am alive and bearing good fruit for others. As Jesus prepared to travel to the cross he took time at the Last Supper to share last words of wisdom with the disciples. He knew the challenges and obstacles the disciples would face in the immediate aftermath of his death and the subsequent days, weeks, months, and years of the early church. The only way to remain faithful, for the disciples and us, is to abide in Christ. We must take time for Jesus in our lives, we must submit our lives to our Lord Jesus. We must also abide in one another, providing encouragement, support and love. Together we can journey with Jesus through whatever challenges we might face. Apart from God and one another, Satan will lead us astray by dividing and conquering. To have friends in our lives who share our connection and commitment to Christ is a true blessing. To have friends who are willing to go to hell and back with and for us gives us courage to be who God created us to be. To have friends who love as Jesus loved, willing to sacrifice and give of themselves fully brings hope and transformation. Who is that type of friend for you? Who are you that kind of friend for? Honor and treasure those relationships if you have them, make it a priority to develop those relationships if you do not.

Community of the Spirit

And all the believers lived in a wonderful harmony, holding everything in common. They sold whatever they owned and pooled their resources so that each person's need was met. Acts 2:44-45

The early church as depicted in Acts 2 may sound a bit naive and idealistic to our 21st century ears, but I believe it is the true representation of what God has in mind for the church. After Peter delivers his Pentecost sermon several thousands Jews come to faith in Jesus Christ and become baptized. Filled with the Holy Spirt, the early church lived together in community, sharing resources and coming together for worship, prayer, and learning. They had, as scripture tells us, "all things in common." This is absolutely remarkable, especially when you consider the devisive and divided nature of Christian sects today.

What is so powerful about the unity of the early church was that it was achieved despite enormous cultural and ethnic differences. Faithful Jews from across the known world had gathered in Jerusalem for the festival of Pentecost, and despite differences in culture and language, the power of the gospel brought God's people together in a transformative way. The unity of the church existed in the midst of real diversity, it was not a group of like minded people of similar backgrounds.

So what might the unity and diversity of the early church have to say to us today? For me it means that the petty differences that define so much of human relationships are truly meaningless to God. It means that in Christ we are free to be ourselves AND honor others for their uniqueness. It means that while we acknowledge diveristy, we recognize more fundamentally it is not our differences which define us but our shared connection through our Lord and Savior. Genuine Christian community is possible but it starts with our shared identity as children of God. Let us stand together, seeking authentic community, honoring one another while serving and loving the Lord.

Jesus and Spiritual Friendship

He replied, "You've been given insight into God's kingdom. You know how it works. Not everybody has this gift, this insight; it hasn't been given to them. Whenever someone has a ready heart for this, the insights and understandings flow freely. But if there is no readiness, any trace of receptivity soon disappears. That's why I tell stories: to create readiness, to nudge the people toward receptive insight...But you have God-blessed eyes—eyes that see! And God-blessed ears—ears that hear! Matthew 13:11-13;16

Jesus had a special relationship with the twelve disciples. He hand-picked them to be his followers and spent every day for three years with them, teaching them about the Kingdom of God and demonstrating that he was the Son of God through a series of miracles. When Jesus spoke to the disciples he spoke as a spiritual mentor, providing guidance, encouragement, support and correction. By contrast, when he spoke to large crowds he often did so in parables which the disciples and followers of Jesus understood but others often did not. Because Jesus took time and effort to cultivate a relationship of trust and support the disciples had "eyes to see" what God was up to.

Spiritual friendships are absolutely essential to the life of faith. We cannot walk alone, there are too many challenges and detours along the way. Jesus' ministry demonstrates to us the power of relationship, accountability and trust. When we learn to share with others, inlcude others in our spiritual lives, and allow others to guide and correct us when necessary we will grow stronger in the Lord. If we continue to walk alone Satan will certainly place obstacles in our way to keep us from seeing and experiencing the true joy and love of God.

So may you look for ways to support and encourage others in the spiritual journey, and may you allow others in your life to support and encourage you.

Much Given, Much Expected

It's also like a man going off on an extended trip. He called his servants together and delegated responsibilities. To one he gave five thousand dollars, to another two thousand, to a third one thousand, depending on their abilities. Then he left. Matthew 25:14-15

The parable of the talents is a powerful reminder that all we have and all we are is a gift from God. The gifts, talents, and passions that we have were given by God, but with those gifts also come responsibilities. The gifts of talent and treasure require from us an acknowledgement that God has given us these gifts, we have not earned them nor do we deserve them; they belong to God. We are called to be good stewards of the gifts we have given and to share those gifts with those in need.

As the master distributes resources to his servants, he gives according to ability. To those who are given more, more is expected. When the master returned he expected that the servants would have made good use of the resources they were entrusted with. The first two servants do very well in their use of the money but the third servant, while not selfish, squanders away the opportunity to use the resources productively.

The servant given one thousand said, 'Master, I know you have high standards and hate careless ways, that you demand the best and make no allowances for error. I was afraid I might disappoint you, so I found a good hiding place and secured your money. Here it is, safe and sound down to the last cent.' "The master was furious. 'That's a terrible way to live! It's criminal to live cautiously like that! If you knew I was after the best, why did you do less than the least? Matthew 25:24-26

The master is furious with the servant, not because he lost the money, but because he was afraid to take a chance. He kept his resources to himself for fear of losing what he had.

It seems to me that many people live their lives this way. We hold so tightly to what we have that we fail to realize opportunities to make a difference. When we are consumed by anxiety and fear, we fail to place our trust to God. When we fear judgment for failing, we are not seeing our gracious and loving God.

God is calling us to use our talents, not recklessly, but boldly. To step out of fear and into faith. To give to others fully, knowing that God will not leave us nor forsake us. This is a life of adventure, faith, and joy. To live otherwise is a terrible way to live.

Ananias and Sapphira

Peter said, "Ananias, how did Satan get you to lie to the Holy Spirit and secretly keep back part of the price of the field? Before you sold it, it was all yours, and after you sold it, the money was yours to do with as you wished. So what got into you to pull a trick like this? You didn't lie to men but to God." Ananias, when he heard those words, fell down dead. Acts 5:3-5

The story of how Ananias and Sapphira literally drop dead after failing to be generous in their giving should give us all pause. It is a remarkable story but one which easily can be misunderstood. As a community the early Christians decided to pool all their resources together for the common good. It was agreed upon that if anyone sold property they would donate the full sale to the church. When Ananias and Sapphira sell their property they only shared a portion with the church and lied about the selling price. They are both individually confronted by Peter and drop dead presumably from guilt.

When it comes to financial giving, or any other part of our life, God wants our whole heart. It pains the Lord to see people give half heatedly. It pains the Lord to see people go through the motions in their prayer life, church attendance, or any other aspect of faith. God wants our whole lives to be a living sacrifice to the crucified and risen Jesus Christ. When we give only a little, or only enough to get by God is neither impressed nor fooled.

When you give you are not giving to the church you are giving to God. Fundamentally giving is not even about money, it is about your relationship with God. When we give generously and from the heart, we acknowledge that God is the source of every blessing and in faith trust that God will continue to bless us. When we hold back we reveal our hearts to be not fully converted.

Take a step forward in faith and obedience to the Lord and give with a full and generous heart!