July 11, 2019 -- Acts 9:10-19 -- Most Unlikely Convert

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.

Acts 9 ESV

Name the most unlikely convert in your circle of family or friends. Think of the person you know who is most unlikely to become a Christian. What are the chances this man or woman or youth would ever yield to the grace and glory of Jesus Christ? Humanly speaking: no chance. But our passage today shines with the radiance of Jesus Christ and the power of His Kingdom.

In our reading today Ananias is presented as a faithful believer. He has been commanded to pray for Saul (who, one day would be known as Paul the Apostle). Saul killed Christians. Threw Christians in prison. He would be the most unlikely convert ever, certainly as far as Ananias was concerned. Yet God took hold of Saul’s heart and changed him from a man who inflicted suffering on Christians to a man who one day would willingly suffer for the Name and the glory of Jesus, his King.

There is surely a person in your life who needs to know Jesus. A person who, like Saul (Paul) is resisting God and violent in his attitude towards believers. Pray for that person. God’s power and His salvation is greater than all that person’s sin. Be persistent in prayer for the person whom the Spirit has placed on your heart. Pray, knowing if your stubborn and rebellious heart can be conquered for Jesus then so can the life and heart of the one for whom Jesus has commanded you to pray.

King Jesus, as I read the Bible, increase my faith. Help me to see You and know You more fully as the Son of God, full of grace and truth. Give me a greater measure of Your Spirit so that I will pray faithfully and persistently for that person whom You have placed on my heart. God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit let Your glory rise on new believers like the dawn of a new day. Amen.