Two men, two requirements, and one challenge for every believer

By Dean Collins

It was personal and it was direct. First it was a message to the one who was persecuting those who followed Jesus, and then it was a message to the Jesus’ follower who would usher him to redemption. Both men faced the same decision we all must face when God speaks to us through his Word and through his Spirit. Do we trust that it is God and that he has called us, and will we be obedient to the task and responsibility we’ve been given?

Certain and wrong

Saul was absolutely sure Jesus was not the son of God and Savior of the world. And he was certain those who followed him were dangerous and deceived. They had to be stopped, because they were saying and doing things that were not acceptable to either Jewish scholarship or practice. So Saul openly and actively participated in the persecution of Christ followers. His intent was to round up the people who followed Jesus and put an end to this deception, even if he had to hold the coats of those who did the stoning.

Stopped and stunned

But one day Saul had an experience. No doubt Saul had seen many hundreds, even thousands, choosing to believe the testimonies of Peter, James, all the apostles, and just recently the newly appointed Hellenist deacons. He likely thought some of these were ignorant. But no doubt he had even heard of some Pharisees like himself who knew the law, understood the prophets’ teachings, and nevertheless were now a part of the Jesus way.

Saul’s encounter stopped him in his tracks and stunned him. The voice of Jesus speaking to him caused him to fall to the ground, first in disbelief. But disbelief changed to belief in just three short days. (It might have happened sooner if Ananias had arrived more quickly. But he was at least slightly delayed by his own challenge of whether to believe Jesus when he spoke to him as well.)

Saul was a well-trained religious scholar, but one simple and nonacademic question pushed logic and years of study to the side. “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” The answer wasn’t in any of the scrolls Saul often studied. Having been blinded by the light, Saul couldn’t have looked up an answer even if he thought a scroll filled with the law and prophets would have helped.

So Saul asked a simple question back in the direction of the voice: “Who are you, Lord?” And that was a good and fair question to ask. The answer wasn’t debated by Saul when he heard it. We all know the answer. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. Now rise and go back to the city, and you will be told what to do.”

No turning back

Luke doesn’t record any pushback by Saul. Saul knew it was Jesus, so he obeyed. And his obedience resulted in scales falling from his eyes as he received the Holy Spirit. He was also baptized, fed, and strengthened in the process. There was no turning back. Immediately he went to the synagogue and declared Jesus to be the son of God. Saul trusted and obeyed, and he was changed for eternity.

Ananias was already a follower of Jesus when he was asked to go to Saul, an assignment that required a decision. Ananias found out that sometimes our assignments sound odd and sometimes even dangerous. But when given a task by Jesus, we will discover the results of his faithfulness only when we also trust and obey his commands.

Trust and obey

I can still hear the sounds of the old hymn challenging me to trust and obey. I’ve probably heard that song since I was a baby, but understanding its truth took some time. Trust and obedience go together. Believing Jesus to be God’s son is just a part of the process. Choosing to follow him and obey his instructions is the other. And the old hymn writer is correct. It’s only when we walk with the Lord in the light of his Word that we ever discover the joy we receive as Jesus abides with us every step of the way.

I don’t know what Jesus might call you to do next. What I do know is that he will go with you every step of the way. I’ve seen him do it over and over in my life and in many many others.

Click this link and listen to this rendition of the old hymn as you consider your next step.

Your time with God’s Word
Acts‬ ‭9:1-20‬ ‭ESV‬‬

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