The apostle Paul (known as Saul in the text) is ready to round up those with whom he disagrees - namely, those who claim Jesus to be the Messiah.Paul becomes the poster boy for those who play out their dogmatism with violence.
He discovers that these followers of The Way may be more than misguided blasphemers.
This is the first of three accounts of his conversion experience that Luke relates through Acts. In his own words, Paul confirms in Galatians 1:13 that "I was violently persecuting the church of God and was trying to destroy it."
This first account is my favorite because it focuses on the story through the eyes of the disciple, Ananias. He first finds out about his enemy's condition through a vision from Jesus. I like how he responds by telling Jesus who Saul really is. You can almost hear him saying, "Well, Jesus, you may not know this about Saul, but let me tell you a few things..."
Sometimes we feel that we need to set God straight as if our viewpoint is so much clearer.
If God only knew what I know, we could avoid this whole trip to the house of Judas. Just let him rot!
But Jesus has a different Way for his disciples than the way of the world.
Ananias gets a living reminder of the teachings of Jesus contained in Luke 6:27-28:
“But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you."and then we continue to see it play out in Luke 6:32-33:
“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same."and finally, we hear these words which seem so applicable to Ananias and Saul in Luke 6:39:
“Can a blind person guide a blind person? Will not both fall into a pit?The perspective of Ananias concerning Saul is colored by the hurt he has received from his hands. It is likely that he knows or is even related to people that had been arrested or persecuted under Saul's hands. How quick would you be to offer healing if this were the case today?
And yet, God's knowledge of how grace is transforming will become reality if we can but trust.
It takes not only trust but a vulnerability on the part of Ananias. He must show mercy in a way that transcends common sense!
But he actually succeeds in doing so.
And Saul turns 180 degrees from where he was. His repentance takes hold!
His story of redemption truly is amazing just as the people who heard him acknowledged.
Is there a place in your life where you draw a line in the sand? For me, I think it comes when I see my behavior or another's committing harm in the world. I try to look at this story and don't want to later regret my behavior like Saul. But the other question that this story has me asking is a little harder. Where do I find it difficult to trust in how Jesus is leading me to forgive my enemy?
Do I really believe that God's grace is transforming? Enough to offer it through my own sense of mercy to another?
Prayer for the day:
O Prince of Peace, who, when you were reviled, did not likewise revile, and on the cross did pray for your murderers, implant in our hearts the virtues of gentleness and patience. In this may we overcome evil with good, and for your sake, love our enemies, and as children of our heavenly Father, seek your peace, and evermore rejoice in your love; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
Prayer adapted from Treasury of Devotion, 1869.
Photo by CJ Sorg via Flickr.com. Used under the Creative Commons license.
All scripture quoted is from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
No comments:
Post a Comment