The physician Luke wrote after “Saul” saw a great light and heard Jesus' voice on the way to Damascus, he asked, “Who are you, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom you persecute: it is hard for you to kick against the pricks. And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what will you have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told you what you must do. And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man. And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus. And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink. And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. And the Lord said unto him, 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”, and in chapter nine and verse thirteen of the book of Acts Luke shared how, “Ananias answered” where we read:
Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man,
how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem:
The verse begins, “Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, ...” Luke began with the words, “then Ananias answered” which means “at that time Ananias whose name means whom Jehovah has graciously given”, “Lord” or “One to whom a person or thing belongs about which he has power of deciding; master, and the title given to God the Messiah”, “I have heard by many” which means “I, Ananias, have been endowed with the faculty of hearing, perceiving and understanding through a great number of people” “of this man” or “concerning this male human being”. Luke shared how “Ananias” spoke to the “Lord” about “hearing” many people speak about “Saul”.
The verse continues, “... how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem:” Luke added the words, “how much evil he had done” which means “the large amount of harm, bad, wrong and wickedness he, Saul, has made ready, performed and produced” “to your saints at Jerusalem” or “toward your, the Lord's, pure, morally blameless and religiously and ceremonially consecrated people”. Luke shared how “Ananias” told the “Lord” how he heard of all the “wickedness and wrong” “Saul” performed against His “believers and disciples”.
When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “Ananias” responded to the “Lord's” instructions. “Ananias” heard from many people that “Saul” performed many “wicked deeds” against His “disciples”, and the guidance given by the “Lord” did not seem safe for him. God loves people, and His desire is to have a loving personal relationship with every person through His Son Jesus. Anyone who yields their life to Him will be forgiven of their sins and granted everlasting life with God. Even when a person has a “wicked” reputation like “Saul”, God is willing to “save” them from the penalty of sin when they surrender their life to Him.
Next time Luke shares how Ananias tells the Lord, Saul “has authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on your name”, 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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