The physician Luke 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”, and in chapter nine and verse fifteen of the book of Acts Luke shared how the Lord told Ananias, Saul “is a chosen vessel unto me” where we read:
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:
The verse begins, “But the Lord said unto him, Go your way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, ...” Luke began with the words, “but the Lord” which means “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover the One to whom a person or thing belongs about which he has power of deciding; master, and the title given to God the Messiah” “said unto him” or “uttered, declared and proclaimed to Ananias”, “Go your way” which means “depart and leave upon your journey or traveled road”: “for he is a chosen vessel unto me” or “because, since and on account that Saul exists as an elected and selected implement, utensil and instrument on Jesus' behalf”. Luke shared how “the Lord Jesus” told “Ananias” that “Saul” was an “elected instrument” who would be used on His behalf.
The verse continues, “... to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:” Luke added the words, “to bear my name” which means “to take up, carry, sustain and support Jesus and everything His name covers including the thoughts or feelings which are aroused in the mind by mentioning, hearing and remembering” “before the Gentiles” or “in front and in the presence of the multitude, company and troop of individuals of the same nature or genus who were pagans and not worshipers of the true God”, “and kings” which means “and rulers, chiefs, commanders, princes, leaders and lords of the land”, “and the children of Israel” or “and toward the offspring and progeny belonging to Israel which means he shall be a prince of God and is the family or descendants of Jacob whose name was changed to Israel”. Luke shared how the Lord Jesus told “Ananias” that “Saul” was a “chosen vessel” to be used by the Lord to “carry” His “name” to the pagan people of the world, who were not Jews, rulers and the offspring of “Israel”.
When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we learn how God was going to “use” “Saul” in sharing His “gospel” with the world. All people were to be reached by the message of “Saul” who previously was adamantly opposed to the believers in Jesus. God is in the life altering business, and when a person submits their life to His Son Jesus, He will forgive their sins, grant them everlasting life and employ them in His Kingdom regardless of their past opposition to Him. Let everyone reading these words carefully examine the wonderful grace and mercy of Jesus, who is able to turn His enemy into His “apostle” to spread His “good news” throughout the world.
Next time Luke shares how the Lord tells Ananias, “I will show him how great things he must suffer”, 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".
No comments:
Post a Comment