Ananias Heals Saul

u003c!u002du002d wp:heading u002du002du003enu003ch2u003eIntroductionu003c/h2u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennThis week’s lesson continues our look at their being healing through u003cemu003efaith u003c/emu003ein Christ.  Over the past few weeks, we have seen that there is u003ca href=u0022https://newfoundfaith.org/a-lame-man-healed/u0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022 data-type=u0022postu0022 data-id=u00229621u0022u003epower in the name of Jesusu003c/au003e and that we should minister His name throughout the world.  All can be healed by Christ but we must have u003cemu003efaith u003c/emu003ein Him in order to be healed. We are going to see that again in our lesson this week through Paul.  This week’s lesson is being taught from u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+9%3A10-20u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eActs 9:10-20u003c/au003e.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:heading u002du002du003enu003ch2u003eAnanias Sent to Paulu003c/h2u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennOur lesson opens with a u003cemu003ecertain disciple u003c/emu003enamed Ananias who had a vision from the Lord (v.10).  Certain disciple, I want you to understand that this does not mean that Ananias was one of the twelve that followed Christ; he was not an apostle.  Ananias was like us, a follower that heard the message of Christ and chose to follow and believe.  Later in the book of Acts, Paul described Ananias as a devout man according to the law who had a good testimony with all the Jews that dwelt in Damascus (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+22%3A11-12u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eActs 22:11-12u003c/au003e).nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:heading {u0022levelu0022:3} u002du002du003enu003ch3u003eSaul of Tarsusu003c/h3u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennIn this vision, the Lord called for Ananias to arise and go to the street called Straight and inquire for one called Saul of Tarsus who would be in the house of Judas u003cemu003epraying u003c/emu003e(v.11).  Let’s take this moment in our lesson to talk about Paul.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennAt this point in time, prior to his conversion, Paul was going by his Hebrew name, Saul.  Paul was the son of a Pharisee, born in Tarsus of Cilicia with a Roman citizenship (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+22%3A25-28u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eActs 22:25-28u003c/au003e).  Paul was brought up in Jerusalem and was taught the law by Gamiliel, a Pharisee, who was a very strict keeper of the law himself, yet at the same time, he had a very level-head when it came to the way of Christ (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+5%3A34-39u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eActs 5:34-39u003c/au003e).nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennIn the strictness that he was raised in, Paul was not as level-headed as Gamiliel in the beginning when it came to the way of Christ.  Paul tells us himself in his writings that he persecuted the early church with a desire to destroy it (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Cor.+15%3A9%3B+Gal.+1%3A13u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003e1 Cor. 15:9; Gal. 1:13u003c/au003e).  Paul even speaks to the fact that stood by and watched as Stephen was stoned to death (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+22%3A20u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eActs 22:20u003c/au003e).nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennSo, Saul of Tarsus (Paul) was not a good man in those days.  Paul genuinely u003cemu003ebelieved u003c/emu003ehe was doing the right thing on behalf of God by persecuting false teachers.  However, he would come to realize that he was working against God on the road to Damascus when Christ paid him a visit (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+9%3A1-9u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eActs 9:1-9u003c/au003e).nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennAfter Christ paid Saul a visit, scripture indicates to us that Paul was left not being able to see anyone when he opened his eyes; he was blind.  We u003cemu003eknowu003c/emu003e that Paul was blind because scripture tells us that he had to be u003cemu003eled u003c/emu003eby the hand and brought into Damascus.  Scripture makes it even more clear to us that Paul had been blinded because we are specifically told that he went u003cemu003ethree days u003c/emu003ewithout sight and in those three days he did not eat or drink.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennI want to suggest that Paul was sitting u003cemu003ein the dark u003c/emu003e(not in literal darkness) fasting and we already know that he had been praying to God according to scripture.  As Ananias had been given a vision by God, scripture tells us that Paul also had received a vision from the Lord (v.12).  In Paul’s vision, he saw Ananias coming to him to give him back his sight.  So, yes, I believe Paul was fasting and waiting for the one that God was going to send to him.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:heading {u0022levelu0022:3} u002du002du003enu003ch3u003eAnanias’ hesitationu003c/h3u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennAs you can imagine, the idea of having to go visit Paul was probably terrifying to Ananias and scripture does not hide this from us!  Ananias hesitates and says to the Lord that he has heard of the man named Saul and how he had brought about great harm to the saints in Jerusalem (vss.13-14).  In fact, we know that had he not been visited by Christ, Paul was on his way to Damascus for the purpose of bringing harm to the saints that were taking up refuge in the city.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennSo, I would say to you that it is pretty understandable that Ananias was a bit hesitant, or afraid, about going to see Paul.  I can imagine that many of us have had moments where we have been a bit hesitant or fearful about doing work on behalf of God.  I have met several people along the way that have expressed to me their fears as to why they are hesitant to speak of their faith with others.  For some, it boils down to confidence, and then for others, it could be that they are afraid of what others may think or say about them.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennI am someone who has certainly had moments, especially in the early days of my walk of faith, where I have been a bit hesitant or fearful of sharing the word of God with others.  Yet, I would tell you today that in our hesitation that we must not hesitate, but rather, we should put our trust in the Lord.  God is u003cemu003ealways u003c/emu003egoing to put you in a position where your help is needed.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennTo Ananias, the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel.  For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake (vss.15-16).”  Ananias’ hesitance somewhat reminds me of Jonah, though Jonah u003cemu003edid not want to go u003c/emu003eto Nineveh because of his hatred towards the people in Nineveh.  Ananias, I don’t believe, hated Paul but he was more so fearful of what Paul would do to him.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennNow, Jonah had no idea what the Lord had intended for the people of Nineveh, and honestly, I don’t believe he cared all that much initially.  Ananias, initially, did not understand why the Lord was sending him to Paul so God cleared things up immediately for Ananias.  So, Ananias had no need to be hesitant or even fearful of going to see Paul.  Again, as those who have been commissioned by the Lord, we too must learn not to be hesitant or fearful when the Lord is u003cemu003edirecting u003c/emu003eour steps – trust in Him and have faith.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:heading {u0022levelu0022:3} u002du002du003enu003ch3u003ePaul receives his sightu003c/h3u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennWith this comfort, Ananias made his way to the street called Straight and entered the house of Judas where Paul was.  Ananias said to Paul, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may u003cemu003ereceive your sightu003c/emu003e and be filled with the Holy Spirit (v.17).”nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennNow, I want to spend a moment to touch on Paul receiving his sight.  Of course, we are going to think about Paul receiving his physical sight because he was u003cemu003eliterally u003c/emu003eblind.  Yes, Paul certainly did receive his physical sight, but I want you to understand that Paul was not just physically blind.  You see, Paul was also spiritually blind.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennScripture speaks to the fact that many people are blind or have a veil covering their eyes spiritually.  Jesus said it Himself, “For judgment I have come into this world, that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may be u003cemu003emade blind u003c/emu003e(u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+9%3A39u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eJohn 9:39u003c/au003e).”  Jesus was talking about spiritual sight in this statement; He came to give u003cemu003espiritual u003c/emu003esight to those who could not see spiritually.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennHowever, those who are blinded by the world that choose not to have their eyes opened by the truth u003cemu003efrom Christu003c/emu003e, they will remain blind.  Paul did not desire for his eyes to remain veiled as he u003cemu003echose u003c/emu003eto live by the truth, the only truth.  As Jesus referenced from the book of Isaiah, “He (God) has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, lest they should see with their eyes, lest they should understand with u003cemu003etheir u003c/emu003ehearts and turn, so that I should heal them (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+12%3A39-41u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eJohn 12:39-41u003c/au003e).”nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennSo, I want you to understand that Paul’s healing was not just a physical healing as it was also a spiritual healing as well.  You see, Paul was not just given his physical sight but the veil was taken off his eyes through his faith in Christ (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Cor.+3%3A14u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003e2 Cor. 3:14u003c/au003e).  We are told in the book of Acts that u003cemu003eimmediately u003c/emu003ethere fell from his eyes u003cemu003esomething like scalesu003c/emu003e, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized (v.18).nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennAfter this, Paul, we are told, received and was strengthened.  Paul would spend some days with the disciples at Damascus and then we are told that he immediately went and preached Christ in the synagogues (vss.19-20).  When the veil is taken away from your eyes and you can see clearly, your walk will change and you will be moved to preach about what you now see!  Paul would go on to write to the Corinthians that one walks u003cemu003eby faith u003c/emu003eand not by sight (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Cor.+5%3A7u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003e2 Cor. 5:7u003c/au003e).nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e