PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Acts 9:10-19
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus.” (Acts 9:19)
Try to imagine the hurt and the hate these disciples could have felt.
The Jesus movement was not that big; they knew people persecuted by Saul.
They had fled in fear from Jerusalem because of the persecution.
This guy was not their friend, he was their enemy – and they welcome him.
Sure it was a miracle that he prayed and was baptized.
But was it a trick, was he pretending to find more who belonged to the Way?
Not only do I see the love of Jesus at work in selecting Saul for this mission.
I see the love of Jesus at work in his followers in welcoming Saul.
They are living out the radical teaching of loving, not cursing, your enemies.
“But I tell you,, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:44)
Each person, like me, needs to be welcomed by grace, otherwise no one could be welcome.
Is there someone I view as a threat that could be God’s chosen instrument too?
Maybe if I start praying for them and blessing them, they will see Jesus too!
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, thank you for your welcoming love and grace to me, choosing to use me. Help me to extend the same welcoming love and grace to others.
Complete turnaround! Ananias: “sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Saul is transformed. The blinders come off his eyes and his soul. He now knows Jesus – and it changes him totally. He now is active and ready to be on the forefront of testimony for Jesus – now he sets out to convince others of the authenticity of Jesus claim – that YES Jesus is the Messiah that was promised. Saul faces conflict of his own previous reputation – believers will have doubts and distrust about him – but once they see how he now faces persecution from the same people he used to be among – that he is now seen as a deserter – as one of ‘the way’ – they come round and accept and protect him. The disciples waited for the HS – the HS empowered Stephen and Paul and he empowers you and me! Help me to listen to you HS!
Listening to the voice of God. Doing what the Lord God wants me to do. Being in tune. Serving Him. Loving Him. Doing His will. Showing His love to all those around me. Being an instrument of His peace. Being Spirit driven I can see what I need to do while I serve Him. All for Jesus. Loving – Knowing – Doing.
I serve a risen Savior
He’s in the world today.
I know that He is living,
Whatever men may say.
I see His hand of mercy;
I hear His voice of cheer;
And just the time I need Him
He’s always near.
He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with me along life’s narrow way.
He lives, He lives, salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know He lives?
He lives within my heart.