Acts 9:10-19 The Conversion of Saul - Part II

For Saul to become the Paul we know today, it was necessary to have an Ananias. He was a disciple and he lived in Damascus. He was at the right place at the right time. Nonetheless, it was necessary for him to hear God and obey him.  The Lord spoke to him and gave him the address where he could find Saul to lay hands and pray for him to receive his sight. Ananias was afraid because Saul's reputation as one who persecuted believers was wide spread, but the Lord convinced him by revealing his purposes with Saul. Ananias obeyed and played a very significant role in the integration of Saul in the Christian community. I want to be like Ananias - a true disciple who is always at the right place at the right time, ready to hear from God, ready to obey, ready to serve, and willing to take risks for sake of the kingdom.

God had chosen Saul to be an instrument in his hands and he chose to intertwine the lives of Ananias and Saul at this juncture in their lives. The interdependence of believers to achieve God's purposes is so evident. God could have healed Saul's blindness through an angel. He could have given him all he needed without human intervention, but he made the paths of these people collide for his glory. I praise the Lord for the people in my life. I would not be the person I am today if it were not for the people God has placed in my path to prepare me, and work with me in the kingdom. I can't live the Gospel alone, God wants me to be in interdependence with brothers and sisters to have a synergy that helps me accomplish so much more in a team than by myself.

Now, here is a shocking statement out of God's mouth: "I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name." God has revealed to Ananias that Saul will suffer greatly as a servant of the kingdom. No one likes to suffer, but suffering is not evil. Through suffering our salvation was worked out. Suffering has a redeeming effect upon those who experience it. It is a schooling appreciated only in hindsight and never while living it. I think it is ironic that Saul, who made many Christians suffer, would be allowed to suffer more than most by Christ himself. My view of suffering should not be gloom and doom. I should view it as a learning experience that helps me understand things I could not understand before suffering.

God chose Saul to carry the name of Jesus before Gentiles, kings, and the people of Israel. His suffering in the kingdom would be for the sake of Jesus' name. All for Jesus. No one else and nothing else. Saul was to be sold out to Jesus to serve him and suffer while doing so with joy. It is easy to forget why I serve in the kingdom. It is not for myself. It is not to gain fame or money - certainly not money! It is not to serve my ego and please my fancy. It is to carry the name of Jesus everywhere! It is to be willing to suffer for that purpose and enjoy the journey.

Father, I am your servant. Make me a instrument in your hands like Ananias and Saul. May I be ready to hear your voice, ready to obey it, willing to suffer if necessary to serve you. May suffering never deter me from giving my all to serve you. Amen.

Matthew 24:36-51 No One Knows That Day and Hour

Over twenty years ago, I bought a book entitled "88 Reasons Why Christ will Return in 88." Well, we are still waiting. It was a foolish book that ignored the Scriptures and I was foolish enough to buy it. I guess I was intrigued by the signs of the times and wanted to make sure I was ready for it. But fixing a date for Christ's return is the most foolish thing one can try. No one knows, not even the angels nor the Son, but the Father only.

To set my expectations right, Jesus compares his coming to the days of Noah. The days of Noah are characterized by eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage. In other words, they were living their lives with no concern for God until the flood hit them. It will be the same for the return of Christ. Most people will not be concerned about God or how to live for him, but will be going about their business in life like usual. 

The most important thing about Christ's return is to be ready for it. Jesus uses the image of a thief breaking into a house. He says that if the owner had known when the thief was going to strike, he would have stayed awake to prevent the break-in. In the same way, I am to be ready for the coming of the Son of Man. Only a few people were ready for the flood in the days of Noah and it will be the same for the return of the Son of Man.

How can I be ready? Using the picture of a servant, Jesus explains how to be ready. To be ready, I must be faithful and wise in the work of the kingdom. The delay of my Master is not an excuse to behave badly - abusing relationships, wasting resources, and being lazy. I must continue to work as if my Master were to return today. I want him to catch me working in his kingdom and not being a sluggard. I can't take his delay as an excuse to do whatever I want.

Lord Jesus, help me to be faithful. Fill my life with a sense of expectation as I live day by day. May I never take your delay as an excuse to behave badly. May I be ready for your return.