Saul was Forgiven and Reconciled

In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, "Ananias!" "Yes, Lord," he answered. The Lord told him, "Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight." (Acts 9:10-12 NIV)

When we allow it, God will work through us.  We can be then hands and feet of Jesus.  We can be the words of Jesus.  We can be the love of Jesus visible to those around us.

"Lord," Ananias answered, "I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name." (Acts 9:13-14 NIV)

When God calls us to love others, though, it can be frightening.  They can be mean, hurtful, and, as was the case with Saul, even want us dead because we believe in Jesus.

But the Lord said to Ananias, "Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name." (Acts 9:15-16 NIV)

Sometimes, though, that difficult person is the exact person that God wants us to reach.  Our part in God’s plan may very well be to rebuilt our hurting marriage, reconcile with parents or children, or even be the person who gets through to the boss at work.  God’s call is irrevocable.  When God says, “Go,” we go.

Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord--Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here--has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit." Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength. Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus. (Acts 9:17-19 NIV)

Saul learned something that day through Ananias.  Saul learned that he was forgiven by God through Jesus.  Saul learned that he was reconciled with God through Jesus.  Saul learned that the one he had been fighting, he now needed to share with others.  Ananias was God’s instrument to teach Saul about Jesus.

But we do see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. (Hebrews 2:9 NIV)

How about you?  Is God calling you to reach out to a specific person or people?  Do they need to learn how to be forgiven and reconciled to God? Does God want to work through you to help them learn about Jesus?