Saul’s blindness has lasted three more days after he arrived in Damascus. Its effect on him has been profound. He has not eaten food nor drunk any liquid in that time:
“Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, ‘Ananias.’ And he said, ‘Here I am, Lord.’ And the Lord said to him, ‘Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, 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’” (Ac 9:10-12).
At first blush, I would think Ananias would be honored to do the Lord’s will, to obey his command. After all, if you received a vision from Jesus himself, you would be in perfect unity with him, correct? Yet Ananias politely wants to know that he is hearing Jesus correctly:
“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 call on your name’” (Ac 9:13-14).
Translation: Are you sure you want me to go and commit suicide with this crackpot Saul?
Rather than getting angry with Ananias, the Lord simply commands him again, but with added emphasis and explanation:
“But the Lord said to him, ‘Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name’” (Ac 9:15-16).
Translation: Just Go! You will find that Saul is no longer breathing threats and murder:
“So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands upon him he said, ‘Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came 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 he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized; and taking food, he was strengthened” (Ac 9:17-19).
Perfect unity plays out in many ways. Ananias obeys Jesus’ commands, regardless of potential harm by the hands of the monster Saul. He then addresses Saul, not out of enmity or even distant respect, but as his brother in Christ! Saul receives the Holy Spirit and his sight. Saul then chooses the good fork on the road, through repentance, through which he is then able to be baptized as a believer in Jesus as Lord and Savior. Then Saul is touched by the never-ending love of God as he is forgiven and restored to health, including a healthy appetite for food, along with physical strength that had evaporated three days prior on the road to Damascus.
The stage is now set for what is possibly the greatest transformation from disunity from God to perfect unity with God.
As a result of Ananias’ initial reluctant obedience, the world will never be the same.
When you are in a doubtful spot, and assuming you do not receive a vision from the Lord, how do you make a decision? Do you fret and worry and drag your feet with indecision, hoping for a thumbs down escape? Or do you take a deep breath, and settle into a quiet place to pray until the Holy Spirit gives you guidance accompanied by surprising peace and a thumbs up?
One action can lead to disobedience, disunity, warnings, and judgment. The correct action is to wait upon the Lord. He is faithful and just.
You can count on him every time with a thumbs up and with sincere repentance that leads to his steadfast, never-ending love and a godly decision!