Luke the physician wrote how “a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, and kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet. But Peter said, Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? While it remained, was it not your own? and after it was sold, was it not in your own power? why have you conceived this thing in your heart? you have not lied unto men, but unto God. And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things”, and in chapter five and verse six of the book of Acts Luke shared how, “the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him” where we read:
And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him.
The verse begins, “And the young men arose, wound him up, ...”. Luke began with the words, “and the young men arose” which means “and the youthful male human beings”, “wound him up” or “enshrouded, rolled and wrapped him, Ananias, with bandages” and did the following. Luke shared how there were “youthful” men in the multitude of people who arose and enshrouded “Ananias” and did the following.
The verse continues, “... and carried him out, and buried him.” Luke added the words, “and carried him out” which means “brought, lead and took him outside”, “and buried him” or “and interred him, Ananias”. Luke shared how the youthful “men” took the body of “Ananias” outside and “inhumed” him.
When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we learn about a few “male youths” who took the body of “Ananias” outside after wrapping it, and they interred him. This is a sad beginning to the church, and it occurred because “Ananias” attempted to “deceive” the apostles with the amount of offering he brought. God knew this would happen, and He allowed it to have everyone know the seriousness of attempting to “fool” or “lie” to God. God is merciful, gracious and loving, and His desire is to have a personal relationship with people through His Son Jesus. When they yield to Jesus, He will forgive them of their sins, grant them everlasting life and begin to cleanse them from all unrighteous ways. The wise person submits themselves to Jesus and should never need to be “carried out, wrapped and buried” by others.
Next time Luke shares, “three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in”, 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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