pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: Damascus


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Strengthen the Church

Reading: Acts 8 and 9

Acts 9:15 – “Go! This man is the agent I have chosen to carry my name before Gentiles, kings, and Israelites.”

Following Stephen’s stoning persecution ramps up. Saul began to “wreak havoc” against the early church. Many fled Jerusalem, spreading out, preaching the good news “along the way.” Philip was one of these. He went to Samaria. His preaching and the signs and healings he offered led to belief and baptisms. News of his ministry leads the church in Jerusalem to send Peter and John to Samaria. They prayed for the gift of the Spirit, laid hands on the new believers, and they received the Holy Spirit. As Peter and John return to Jerusalem, they too preach “along the way.” In the early church the practice of sharing the faith was a 24/7 kind of thing. It was just something you did naturally. This should be how we live each day too!

Philip is then sent down a desert road (what?!) where he meets an Ethiopian eunuch reading Isaiah. The eunuch has been in Jerusalem to worship God, but his physical condition would’ve limited his participation. Philip rides along with him, interpreting the passage, using it to teach him about Jesus. Coming to some water, the eunuch asks about baptism. Philip welcomes the opportunity to fully include him, baptizing the eunuch. The Spirit then takes Philip to Azotus where he… preaches the good news of Jesus Christ!

Chapter 9 begins with Saul’s “Damascus road” experience. Confronted and struck blind by the risen Jesus, Saul is then healed by Ananias. He had protested going to Saul, but the Lord told him, “Go! This man is the agent I have chosen to carry my name before Gentiles, kings, and Israelites.” As the chapter unfolds, Saul preaches the good news. This leads to the persecutor becoming the persecuted.

Our reading closes with Peter’s continuing ministry. He heals Aeneas in Lydda and then Tabitha in Joppa. Both of these signs are in Gentile areas and many come to put their faith in the Lord. There is a time of peace for the church and God continues to strengthen the church. May it continue to be so in our time.

Prayer: Lord God, in ways big and small, in ways loud and quiet, you continue to work to change hearts and lives. Your Spirit ever leads and guides. Help us to draw upon the same Holy Spirit power to continue your work in the world. Amen.


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Carriers

Reading: Acts 9: 1-16

Verse 16: “This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles…”

Saul has become the face of the enemy for the early church. He has taken on the role of chief persecutor, judge, and executioner. Saul hears the church is starting to grow in Damascus, so he heads there, armed with letters of authority to arrest all the Christians. But on the road to Damascus, Saul meets Jesus. Jesus asks him, “Why do you persecute me”? Saul is struck blind and told to go into Damascus, where he will be told what to do. Saul spends three days fasting and praying.

The Lord also calls upon Ananias. He is a disciple in Damascus who knows Saul’s reputation. Jesus instructs him to go to the house where Saul is staying. There Ananias is to lay hands on Saul to heal him of his blindness. Ananias questions this idea – he knows who Saul is. But the Lord knows who Saul will become. The Lord says to Ananias, “This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles…”

Ananias is being sent to the enemy. He probably knows some of the people that Saul has arrested or killed. To go to him is risky. To heal him seems like the last thing to do. It calls on Ananias to trust God and to imitate the loving forgiveness of Jesus. It calls on Ananias to allow God to work through him. God has clearly chosen Saul to use for His purposes. Ananias will dutifully obey and go to heal Saul.

God has chosen Saul to be His instrument to carry the good news of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles. This is a big audience. The Gentiles are all the non-Jews. This represents almost all of the known world since the Jews are a relatively small group of people. It is a big mission. Saul is tasked with carrying the message to the people. This is different than bringing the message. To bring is to share the message that someone else told you. To carry is to be the message, to live it out with all you are. Saul will carry the good news. He will become so filled with Jesus that he will preach and heal just as Jesus did.

When we consider our role in following the Great Commission to make disciples of all people, are we bringing the message or are we carrying the message? May we be infectious carriers.

Prayer: Fill me with you so that I carry the message of your love and hope and healing to all I meet today. Amen.