14/06/2026
GOD LOVES ALL… SHOULD WE DO THE SAME?…PART TWO
Saul’s Conversion
ACTS 9 Meanwhile, Saul was uttering threats with every breath and was eager to kill the Lord’s followers.So he went to the high priest. 2 He requested letters addressed to the synagogues in Damascus, asking for their cooperation in the arrest of any followers of the Way he found there. He wanted to bring them—both men and women—back to Jerusalem in chains.
3 As he was approaching Damascus on this mission, a light from heaven suddenly shone down around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?”
5 “Who are you, lord?” Saul asked.
And the voice replied, “I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting! 6 Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”
7 The men with Saul stood speechless, for they heard the sound of someone’s voice but saw no one! 8 Saul picked himself up off the ground, but when he opened his eyes he was blind. So his companions led him by the hand to Damascus. 9 He remained there blind for three days and did not eat or drink.
10 Now there was a believer in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord spoke to him in a vision, calling, “Ananias!”
“Yes, Lord!” he replied.
11 The Lord said, “Go over to Straight Street, to the house of Judas. When you get there, ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul. He is praying to me right now. 12 I have shown him a vision of a man named Ananias coming in and laying hands on him so he can see again.”
13 “But Lord,” exclaimed Ananias, “I’ve heard many people talk about the terrible things this man has done to the believers in Jerusalem! 14 And he is authorized by the leading priests to arrest everyone who calls upon your name.”
15 But the Lord said, “Go, for Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel. 16 And I will show him how much he must suffer for my name’s sake.”
17 So Ananias went and found Saul. He laid his hands on him and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road, has sent me so that you might regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Instantly something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he got up and was baptized. 19 Afterward he ate some food and regained his strength.
Last week, we read about how Jesus offered unconditional love to a woman. Against all the odds, she received mercy and her daughter was healed. Jesus instructs us to follow in His footsteps and do likewise.
But will it always be easy to treat others as Jesus wants us to? Will there be times when we believe it's too hard? Times when we come up with excuses and feel justified in not obeying Jesus?
Today we read the story of Ananias, who found himself in exactly that situation. The Lord spoke to him in a vision, giving him clear instructions about what He wanted him to do.
What a shock this must have been! In Ananias' eyes, Saul not only did not deserve help from Jesus, and he was also a man to be feared. Saul was prepared to go to any and all lengths to stop the followers of Christ. He was fully convinced that he was right, and he had been given the authority he needed to carry out his mission.
Ananias immediately pleaded his case with Jesus, no doubt hoping that the Lord would change His mind. Instead, Jesus reaffirmed His instructions.
What happened next?
Ananias went immediately and obeyed Jesus. Despite his fears, he did exactly what the Lord asked of him. What's more, when he met Saul, he called him "Brother Saul."
If we read on, we see the incredible impact of Ananias' obedience.
Saul's conversion transformed Christianity from a small Jewish movement into a worldwide faith. Through his ministry to the Gentiles and his authorship of much of the New Testament, Paul helped establish the theological foundations of the early Church.
I heard a sermon this week that said Ananias' actions perfectly exemplifies the Gospel in action. He demonstrated radical obedience, put his own safety on the line to welcome a former enemy, and showed the practical, life-changing power of Christ's love.
The challenge for us today is this:
Can we show God's love to someone we don't like, someone who has hurt us, or someone we feel doesn't deserve it?
Jesus showed grace to us when we did not deserve it. He calls us to extend that same grace to others.
Let us pray...
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for the example of Ananias and for the reminder that Your plans are often greater than our understanding. Help us to trust You when You call us to do difficult things and to obey You even when we feel afraid or reluctant.
Lord, give us hearts that reflect Your love and mercy. Help us to see others through Your eyes, not through our own judgments or fears. Teach us to extend grace to those we find difficult to love, remembering the grace that You have so freely given to us.
Give us the courage of Ananias, the humility to follow Your voice, and the faith to believe that You can transform any life through the power of Your Spirit.
May we be willing instruments in Your hands, bringing hope, kindness, and the love of Christ to those around us.
Amen
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Blessings
