The Compassion of Ananias

Acts 9: 10-16

10 Now there was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” He answered, “Here I am, Lord.” 11 The Lord said to him, “Get up and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul. At this moment 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 in Jerusalem; 14 and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who invoke your name.” 15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is an instrument whom I have chosen to bring my name before Gentiles and kings and before the people of Israel; 16 I myself will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.”

Saul was blinded by the light of heaven and was waiting for Christ’s plan to unfold  in Damascus, fasting and praying while he waited. Meanwhile, also in Damascus, Ananias, a follower of Christ, received a vision in which Christ asked Ananias to help Saul.

Ananias did not want to do this because he had heard how much harm Saul had done to those who believed and thought that Saul may be setting a trap.  Christ insisted that Ananias overcome his fear and anger and understand that God was about to use Saul for His purposes.

Ananias considered Saul an enemy of the faith and Christ asked Ananias to show him kindness, love, and compassion.

In the end, the Christian church owes as much to Ananias as it does to Saul (Paul).   

From the compassion of Ananias, the Apostle Paul arose. 

May the love of Christ be with you

Rev. Eric Lanier (Retired)