Luke the physician 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. Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem”, and in chapter nine and verse fourteen of the book of Acts Luke shared how Ananias told the Lord, Saul “has authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on your name” where we read:
And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on your name.
The verse begins, “And here he has authority from the chief priests ...” Luke began with the words, “and here he has authority which means “and in this location, place and city Saul has power, permission and liberty” “from the chief priests” or “in the sight and presence of the principle, first and highest priests” to do the following. Luke shared how “Ananias” told the “Lord” how “Saul” had permission from the highest religious authorities to perform the following acts.
The verse goes on to say, “... to bind all that call on your name.” Luke continued with the words, “to bind all” which means “to tie up and fasten each, every, the whole and everyone” “that call on your name” or “who cries out, summons and invokes the name of Jesus”. Luke shared how “Ananias” told the “Lord Jesus” that “Saul” was given permission to “tie up or arrest” everyone who invokes the “name of Jesus”.
When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “Ananias” knew about the “authority” given to “Saul” to arrest believers in Jesus. The news of “Saul” coming Damascus had the disciples of Jesus on alert, and “Ananias” was no exception. The “Lord” will add further clarity to “Ananias'” understanding in our next verse, but for now let us imagine if we had received the message from the Lord to go to “Saul”. God employs people into His service where there may be a lack of understanding or risk, and those who are “called” in His service in these areas must trust that He will take care of them. God had a plan for “Saul's” life, and He has a plan for every person who yields to His Son Jesus as their personal “Savior and Lord”. Those who humble themselves and yield to Jesus will be used to affect great changes in the Kingdom of God, and eternity will reveal all that has been done when they trust and obey His commission.
Next time Luke shares how the Lord tells Ananias, Saul, “is a chosen vessel unto me”, 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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