The following is the outline of a talk I gave on more than one occasion in the UK and in Eastern Europe when working with the Slavic Gospel Association. The Bible passage is Acts 9:1-22.
Saul was a man with a mission. His journey from Jerusalem to Damascus was not so much a walk, or even a trek, but a march. With the full of authority of zealous religious backing and the documentation to prove it, he was going to Damascus to seek out Christians and take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. Christianity was starting to spread, and it must not be allowed to take hold. Saul was so motivated that he was breathing out threats and murder against these new Christian disciples of the Lord. His visions, his plans, and the way they were to be executed, were perfectly clear in his mind. He could think of little that could cause any hindrance or delay. He was simply looking forward to a job done.
Most people will be familiar with what happened next. He was the subject of the most famous conversion experience in history. As he neared Damascus, a bright light shone from heaven, and a voice spoke to him, calling him by name. Saul immediately knew who was speaking. It was the risen Christ, the One whom the Christians were following. Jesus told him that persecuting believers in Him was nothing other than persecuting Him personally. The identification of Christ with His own is complete. No wonder that Saul was astonished, so much so that he trembled. He knew that life could never be the same for him again. His first words were to address Jesus - the name he had hated wanted to stamp out from the earth - to address Jesus as Lord. His next words show that using the word "Lord" was not an empty gesture, but that he, Saul, would now be an obedient servant of the One who spoke to him from heaven.
The Lord continued with a simple and direct command for Saul that is full of interest. The Lord said to Him, "Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do." This was an immediate challenge to one who was so used to taking big decisions for himself and acting on them. How difficult this must have been to obey! I am sure that Damascus was the very place Saul no longer wanted to go. Not that he would relish returning to Jerusalem either.
In order to continue to Jerusalem, Saul had to be led by the hand because of the blinding impact of the light from heaven. No marching into the city in pride and pomp, pleased at the panic the prospect of his arrival must be causing. Rather now, a creeping in to the city in humility, unsure of himself, with uncharacteristically hesitant footsteps. He, Saul, the visionary leader and man of decisive action, now being led by the hand meekly into Damascus. All breathing of threats and murder had ceased, but what next? He quietly took lodgings at the side of a street, and could not eat or drink for three days, and there seemed no prospect of regaining his sight. The Bible is silent on the internal conflicts that must have been raging. All he could do was wait until he would be told what to do, as had been promised.
Meanwhile, there was a man who lived in Damascus called Ananias. He was a Christian believer. It is clear that the Christians in Damascus knew the reputation of Saul, and the way he had been at the forefront of the persecution of Christians in Jerusalem. He had a significant part to play, and his own trust in his Lord was to be put to the test. We need to imagine his amazement when a voice came to him, saying, "Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus.....". He knew immediately that it was the voice of the Lord. What a challenge for him! Would he obey? Surely the last person he wanted to meet was the very man who was coming with threats and murder for just such people as Ananias! The Lord did say that Saul needed to receive sight, which must have been perplexing, but we can understand how Ananias still had questions in view of Saul's reputation for persecution. The Lord provides assurance enough for Ananias to step out in obedience.
Ananias must have walked along the street of his city, Damascus, wondering what would unfold. But, he went his way and entered the house. His attitude towards Saul and his greeting was quite amazing. His expression was of complete faith in the direction he knew had come from the Lord. He laid his hands on Saul and said "Brother Saul"...
This is the point at which two pathways met under the leading hand of the Lord. Saul had not been directed to go to Ananias. Ananias had not been told to arise and flee Damascus at the news of the approach of Saul. Neither had he decided to flee without direction from the Lord. Often patient waiting, even in a difficult place, is what is asked of people. At the right time, both individuals were given challenging instructions - arise and go - and indeed Saul was undergoing a rapid and complete transformation in the whole direction of his life. We can only imagine what it meant for Saul to hear those two opening words "Brother Saul". What if Ananias had failed in his brotherly task? Ananias is able to explain how the Lord has led him, and that Saul was to receive his sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit. The scales fell from Saul's eyes, he was baptized (immediately), and only then took food.
Saul then spent some days with the disciples in Damascus. What an extraordinary turn of events for all concerned. Saul was now in full fellowship with the believers he had set out to destroy.
We may make plans and step out in order to work them out. Sometimes, however, a higher power intervenes. Saul had set out for Damascus. Yes, he made it to that city, but in transformed circumstances. His attitude of walk was changed from an angry persecutor to humble and yet committed and fearless follower of Christ. Ananias to had his special role in the story. Through the obedience of both of them to the Lord's leading, great blessing resulted.
The challenge for us today as believers is to recognise the leading of the Holy Spirit through the word of God. We may not get direct messages through the Lord speaking in the way he did to Saul and Ananias (before the New Testament was begun, let alone completed). We do have the full word of God, and the assurance of the guidance of the Holy Spirit when we are truly open to His leading. It still takes faith to step out in response, especially when it is in an unexpected or difficult direction. But when the Lord directs our paths, the results can still be as encouraging and life changing as they were for Saul and Ananias.
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