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Meanwhile Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any who belonged to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Now as he was going along and approaching Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” He asked, “Who are you, Lord?” The reply came, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But get up and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” The men who were traveling with him stood speechless because they heard the voice but saw no one. Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; so they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. For three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank. Now there was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” He answered, “Here I am, Lord.” 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, 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.” But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints in Jerusalem; and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who invoke your name.” 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; I myself will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” So Ananias went and entered the house. He laid his hands on Saul and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on your way here, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and his sight was restored. Then he got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength. For several days he was with the disciples in Damascus, and immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.” (Acts 9:1-20)
A most happy Wednesday to you, dear Friend! I pray this finds you well and enjoying the blessings of the day.
What does your name mean, if anything? Was it a family name? Was it after someone that your mother or father liked? Is it from the Bible? I heard a story once from the mountain tops of Puerto Rico. A couple lived far from most neighbors and the only constant visitor they had was their postman (remember Puerto Rico is a part of the United States of America, and their mail service is the same as ours). When the couple had their first baby, a boy, they proudly named him Usmail. (Okay, this joke sounds better than it reads; but think Ishmael but with a U in the front).
Our story today is about a very interesting and powerful man. He was young, well connected, very well educated and he was as passionate as he could possibly be to his perceived purpose in life. When we first meet this young man, his name is Saul, and he's mentioned in chapter 7 of Acts, where the first Christian murdered (martyred) for his faith occurs. He's given the job of holding the coats of the men chosen to stone Stephen to death. Saul looked on and loved what he saw. Perhaps not for the bloodshed, but for the justice he believed was taking place against those who chose to believe in Jesus rather than the company line of strict Judaism. In fact, chapter 8, verse one reads what happened in the life and mind of Saul. "And Saul approved of their killing him." The next verse says that that very day a persecution began against all Christians. It was such a fierce and powerful movement, that the disciples scattered throughout the region. This means they were scared of what Saul was capable of doing, and ran for their lives.
The captain of the opposing team was ruthless and feared by all who had faith in Jesus. His actions sent a strong message to Jesus' followers; "If you believe in the Way (What they were calling what Jesus preached as in "the way, the truth, and the life."), be prepared to suffer severely, including death. Saul's plan was to tie up every believer he could find and drag them to Jerusalem. For many, time was running out and the only option they faced was to run, hide, or give in to Saul. Then Jesus came. As Saul is on his way to Damascus, a bright light from Heaven flashed around him and he fell to the ground and he heard a voice call him by name and he was asked, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" Saul asks who is talking to him, and he hears, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But get up and enter the city and you will be told what you are to do." Witnesses saw nothing, but heard everything. Saul discovers he is blind and remained that way for three days. Those three days were like the days Jesus spent in the tomb, except Saul was exposed to life and truth. Jesus shared with him all the story of Himself and even revealed to Saul all that he would suffer for the sake of Jesus.
Jesus further proved His majesty in letting him know that a man, in prayer, would come for him and restore his sight. Ananias is the man's name and he knew of Saul and feared him and was reluctant to go and do it, but when God asks, well, you'd best say yes. Saul also had a change of heart and purpose. From being a hater and persecuter of the Christians, Saul comes to confess Jesus as the Son of God.
I am thankful that during my ministry I have seen the same power of God at work in so many people, who underwent tremendous changes in their lives. Haters of God becoming lovers of God. Haters of people becoming lovers and servants of all people. Those heading South suddenly turning North. And by the same token, many who changed direction away from the fullness of life to the path we're against. Such is the nature of the Christian life.
This is another Easter story that stresses the fullness of life that can be found in Christ Jesus. There is new life in Jesus to anyone who asks. Jesus Himself said, "Ask and it will given to you, Seek and you will find, and knock and the door shall be opened to you." (Matthew 7:7)
PRAYER: God of Resurrection Life, bring to us new life and fullness of life. Keep us away from that which distracts and destroys. Put us on the path that leads to life eternal. This I pray in Christ Jesus' strong name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Be a person of Easter life today!
Blessings of love,
Eradio Valverde
