Luke the physician wrote after “Saul” saw a great light and heard Jesus' voice on the way to Damascus, the Lord spoke to a man named Ananias whom He told to, “Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prays, And has seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight. Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem. And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on your name. But the Lord said unto him, Go your way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel”, and in chapter nine and verse sixteen of the book of Acts Luke shared how the Lord told Ananias, “I will show him how great things he must suffer” where we read:
For I will show him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.
The verse begins, “For I will show him how great things he must suffer ...” Luke began with the words, “for I will show him” which means “because, since and on account that I, Jesus, will reveal, warn and expose to Saul” “how great things he must suffer” or “the many, numerous and abundant things Saul has and needs to experience, be affected by and undergo”. Luke shared how the Lord Jesus told “Ananias” that He would reveal to “Saul” the numerous “things” he would experience.
The verse goes on to say, “... for my name's sake.” Luke continued with the word, “for” which means “because and on behalf of” “my name's sake” or “my, Jesus', name and everything which the name covers including the thoughts or feelings which are aroused in the mind by mentioning, hearing and remembering”. Luke shared how the Lord told “Ananias” that “Saul” would “suffer” because of His “name”.
When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we learn how the “Lord” knew “Saul” would “suffer for His name”, and he wanted “Saul” to know in advance what he would experience. “Saul” indeed “suffered” for the “name” of “Jesus”, (See 2 Corinthians 11:24-28), and yet, he would be used by the “Lord” in a greater way than any other person before him. God had a plan for “Saul's' life, and the plan included “suffering” for His “sake”. God has a plan for each person's life, and when they yield themselves to Him as their personal “Savior and Lord”, He forgives their sins, grants them everlasting life and begins to use them in His Kingdom. Let all who read these words yield to “Jesus” who has a purpose and plan for everyone when they submit to Him.
Next time Luke shares how Ananias, “went his way” to where Saul was located, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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