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.