Acts 9:20-42 - Forgivness & Risk

The opening of Acts 9 is the miracle conversation and transformation of Saul. From Al Capone to Billy Graham...ha, at least that's one way to look at it. Because of this, it’s pretty easy to jump past there rest of chapter 9, but that would move right on past a few great learnings. 

Let’s stay on Saul for a moment. Yesterday we talked a lot about his cronies and the men who were with Saul during his conversions. Let’s look at some others that were close to Saul, and what can we glean from those interactions? 

“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.” 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.” 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.” - ‭‭Acts‬ ‭9:13-17‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Saul, as we know what a horrible man and his reputation pressed him in a big way. Ananias was nervous and being cautious as I can understand why. But the Lord told Ananias, Go! This man is my chosen instrument... Look at how he responded and treated Saul. Ananias, when to Saul, embraced him, called him brother and had a profoundly spiritual moment with him. 

I read here, and recognize that encountering Jesus, and responding to his call in our lives requires forgiveness as well as action. There is no doubt that Ananias was impacted by Saul's brutality and persecution. He was nervous to go to him, resistant at first. But the Lord spoke to Ananias, Go, and gave him directions and instructions. Ananias responded, he went, forgave and embraced Saul as a brother. We can focus on Paul’s great ministry and the legacy Paul left, but we have to recognize the beginnings of Paul as Saul, and who was involved and used by God to pour into Saul, and how played a part in his ministry. A key part of the transformation and ministry of Saul (Paul) started with forgiveness from Ananias. 

There was second critical learning for me that jumped out when looking at those who were around Saul.  Let’s take a look at the disciples back in Jerusalem. 

“At once, he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. All those who heard him were astonished and asked, “Isn’t he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name? And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?” Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah. After many days had gone by, there was a conspiracy among the Jews to kill him, but Saul learned of their plan. Day and night they kept a close watch on the city gates in order to kill him. But his followers took him by night and lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall. When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple.” - ‭‭Acts‬ ‭9:20-26‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Here we read of the early transformation and making of the great Apostle. It is obvious that when Jesus told Ananias, this man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people...that Saul was the chosen one. In the spirit of movie references, I first connected Saul to Al Capone, but now we see Saul has been transformed and is not more like the young Superman. It’s not said here, so I do not take this as gospel now should you, but I have to imagine there is a significant about of jealousy brewing, these disciples were still human. 

But onto my point here, and critical learning. Saul was passed over by the disciples in Jerusalem. They were afraid of him and not believing that he was really a disciple. Can you imagine this? My analogy here is the 1984 NBA draft, and the young superstar we now know as Michael Jordan. MJ didn’t go #1 in the draft, MJ didn’t go #2 in the draft, the greatest NBA player of all times was #3 in the draft. Two teams passed on the greatest ever. We now know that MJ went to Chicago and brought 6 NBA championship titles. That could have been Houston or Portland, who passed on him, but they didn’t see it or were willing to take the risk. The Apostle Paul was passed over in the Jerusalem draft because he posed a risk, and seemed like an outsider, not one of “us.” 

The critical leadership lesson here, don’t judge a book by its cover. Sure, Saul had a sketchy past, rough around the edges, and a wrap sheet, but God had big plans for this young man! I am no Saul, but I look to the early decision pastor Mike Johnson made, and the risk he took on me...massively sketchy past, some horrific decisions and a very tainted past, but God has some big plans for me. As a leader, we must be able to look beyond the surface, or someone’s past and dig deeper, seek God’s wisdom and dig for discernment, and takes some risks on people. 

“But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul, on his journey, had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus.” - ‭‭Acts‬ ‭9:27‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Barnabas “got it!” He took the risk, and we now know the rest of the story. We will learn more about this guy named Barnabas, and it will be fun to see what a great leader he was.