May 28, 2024

Acts 9:10-19 (HCSB)
Saul’s Baptism
10 There was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias. And the Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias!” “Here I am, Lord!” he said. 11 “Get up and go to the street called Straight,” the Lord said to him, “to the house of Judas, and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, since he is praying there. 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and placing his hands on him so he can regain his sight.” 13 “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard from many people about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem.14 And he has authority here from the chief priests to arrest all who call on Your name.” 15 But the Lord said to him, “Go! For this man is My chosen instrument to take My name to Gentiles, kings, and the Israelites. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for My name!”
17 So Ananias left and entered the house. Then he placed his hands on him and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road you were traveling, has sent me so that you can regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 At once something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he got up and was baptized. 19 And after taking some food, he regained his strength.

Casey Morton
Today we see a much different type of instruction. When God tells Ananias what He wants him to do, He is very specific (ex.: street called Straight, house of Judas, man from Tarsus called Saul). It seems like Ananias wasn’t overly excited with what he was asked to do (v13-14). When he gets to Saul, he places his hands on him and calls him “brother Saul”. This was how Ananias could powerfully communicate the deep love of God, since “blind Saul” could not see it on his face. Ananias prays that Saul be filled with the Holy Spirit, and at once he was able to see. God had done an effective job of “breaking” Saul, but it wasn’t His intention to leave him broken. If we are full of the world or worldly things or agendas, we have no room for God. Has God ever “broken” or “emptied” you just so you can be filled with Him?