The Seventh Sunday of Easter (CL)

Acts 9:1-22

But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest ² and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. ³ Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. ⁴ And falling to the ground he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” ⁵ And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. ⁶ But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” ⁷ The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. ⁸ Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. ⁹ And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

¹⁰ Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” ¹¹ And the Lord said to him, “Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying, ¹² and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.” ¹³ But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem. ¹⁴ And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.” ¹⁵ But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. ¹⁶ For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” ¹⁷ So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” ¹⁸ And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized; ¹⁹ and taking food, he was strengthened.

For some days he was with the disciples at Damascus. ²⁰ And immediately he proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.” ²¹ And all who heard him were amazed and said, “Is not this the man who made havoc in Jerusalem of those who called upon this name? And has he not come here for this purpose, to bring them bound before the chief priests?” ²² But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Christ.

There are a lot of little things to pick out of this text. The body of Christ is the Church, which has been persecuted by Saul for some years now. Saul finds himself blind and alone for three days until he is baptized by Ananias and filled with the Holy Spirit. The scales of the Ancient serpent’s lies fall from the eyes of the persecuting Jew. Maybe, there is something to these things and maybe there isn’t.

The message still stands clear and strong. Jesus Christ comes and reveals the truth to St Paul. He teaches St Paul the truth and brings him to know salvation. Jesus has spoken to St Paul and brought him to believe, but he still sends Ananias, a brother to speak to him. A brother comes to him and baptizes him. The Word of God comes to us by the means of our fellow Christians.

The struggle for most Christians is the ability to step out in Faith and speak to another. It is difficult for us to ask our Pastors the important questions we ask ourselves. It is scary to speak up when we are not certain of the correct answer. Many of us have problems telling even our closest friends about Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ calls Ananias to step up and go visit a man who came with letters to imprison and kill members of the Body of Christ. Ananias goes to him and finds a man open to hearing the Gospel. There are many people out there, who are open to the Gospel.

Most people do not want to face their guilt and shame. But they are glad to hear that Jesus Christ has died for the forgiveness of your sins. Jesus Christ died on the cross for all your sins. He has redeemed you and cleansed you from all unrighteousness. But even this implies that you have done something wrong.

Saul sought to do what was right. Saul was looking to proclaim God and protect his truth. St Paul did the same thing. Saul and St Paul were both chief of sinners. The only difference was one knew his redeemer Jesus Christ.

NTA: Acts 9:4-19