EMBRACING A BROTHER

• DAY 333
• FEAR FILE: ANANAIS
• SCRIPTURES: ACTS 9

“Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” So the Lord said to him, “Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying. And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight.” Then Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm 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.” But 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.”

Acts‬ ‭9‬:‭10‬-‭15‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

When a criminal becomes converted, there is a need for rehabilitation and reintroduction into society. Although Saul was not convicted of a crime in any court, he was a known murderer of the Jews. But he has met Jesus and surrendered to his lordship. He has been told what he will do and led into the city blind. His rehabilitation began the moment he entered Damascus. He immediately started a prayer retreat in the hopes that he could see again.

So now, God needs to bring him into the fold and introduce this murderer as a changed man, to people who will not easily believe his testimony. For this, He needed a believer who would bear witness to his testimony as a new man and vouch for him amongst the brethren. Had God let him go alone, he probably would have been beaten, insulted, and pushed away. Because chances are, he killed some of their friends and family members. God chose Ananias of Damascus for this courageous act.

How would you react if God sent you to your enemy? What would be your response if he chose you to heal the man who killed your friends and has sworn to kill you too? Chances are you might feel afraid at first but anger will follow shortly and “No Lord,” might be your final answer. Ananias responded the same way you are thinking now.

From Murderer To Brother

But as a man of faith, Ananias obeys. And when he arrives, he calls him “Brother Saul.”

And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized. So when he had received food, he was strengthened. Then Saul spent some days with the disciples at Damascus. -Acts 9:17-19

This brother’s attitude towards Saul changed the moment he knew he was converted, from a murderer he became a brother. And he did what God said and Saul received his sight. Not only that, he took him to the disciples and Saul was accepted. That right there is faith. We often find it hard to embrace a new convert who was a public sinner. In fact, we are even too afraid to go to them or be seen around them. But we were all once dead in sin too, even if it was privately.

If you have been sent to the most unlikely person, take up courage and go. Invite your boss to that program, and tell that person about Christ. Most importantly embrace your brothers in faith. Let their past remain at the feet of Jesus. May the Lord help us all.

Shalom.